Shaheen Anam

It is hard to believe that Fahim is no more; it seems like a bad dream from which we will wake up to see his ever smiling, jovial and pleasant face, cracking a joke or pulling somebody's leg.

Conventionally, work is defined as any activity undertaken in lieu of remuneration. The value of work is determined by the level of remuneration. Therefore, any work undertaken without remuneration is considered non-valuable and non-work. On the other hand,any work done outside, such as office, factory, fieldis considered more valuable then work done at home. The conclusion therefore is, men work outside, get remuneration so their work is valuable. Women work at home, get no remuneration, therefore their work is considered non-work having no or little value.

October 15 was the International Rural Women Day. The first International Day of Rural Women was observed on October 15, 2008.

Dear Mita, I am a 48-year-old man and have a 20-year-old daughter who is now away at a college abroad.

Dear Mita, I am worried about my sister who is 19 years old and is in a relationship with one of her friends. I feel that the boy is very immature and doesn't know how to handle a relationship. My sister is also worried that as we belong to completely different economic and social standing, our family would not accept their relationship. She has been trying to make him understand that he needs to stand on his feet if this relationship is to work. Despite her pleas, he hardly tries to do anything but he claims to be madly in love with her. Now she's unsure whether she should stay in this relationship or call this thing off. She's also worried that if she breaks up with him, he'd be shattered and this would make her feel guilty. As her brother, I feel her pain and would really like to offer a way out of this situation. Please help.