Equal participation of men, women must for dev

Neither males nor their female counterpart can move forward without cooperation between them, and development will not be sustainable without equal participation of the both genders; said successful women from different sectors in the country yesterday at a programme organised by Bangla daily the Prothom Alo at Chhayanaut Bhaban in the capital's Dhanmondi, marking the International Women's Day.

Special greetings were conferred upon Ayesha Siddika, a Bangladeshi poet who was duped and abused by traffickers in India.

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Her poetry and short story collection styled "Ahoto Ami" (injured me), published last year from India in Malayalam language, was republished by Prothoma Books and launched at the programme.

South Asian Games Gold Medal Winners Mahfuza and Mabia, two female footballers of Kalsindur village Maria and Sanjida, and Ayesha were referred to as iconic figures who will be inspiring other females to overcome all sorts of barriers and come out successfully.

The programme also included dramas and inspiring songs, and concluded with a firm determination to triumph.