With the theme “Let justice protect the rights of women and girls in the future”, International Women’s Day was celebrated at the Upazila Parishad Milinayatan in Durgapur, Netrokona on Sunday (March 8) at 10:30 am by the Upazila Administration and Women’s Affairs Department.

On this occasion, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Mizanur Rahman spoke as the chief guest under the chairmanship of Upazila Women’s Affairs Officer Jannatul Islam Meem.

Eminent educationist MA Jinnah, Upazila Agriculture Officer Nipa Biswas, Upazila Secondary Education Officer Bazlur Rahman Ansari, Durgapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kamrul Hasan, Press Club President Tobarak Hossain Khokon, Convener of the Journalists’ Association Pobi Sajim Shine, Manager of Pari Development Trust Prince Koraiya, and Women Entrepreneur Kabita Dutta spoke as special guests.

In addition, BRAC Self Officer Nazmun Nahar Begum, BRAC’s Swapna Sarathi team girls and other guests were present. Upazila Academic Supervisor Muhammad Nasir Uddin moderated the program.

The speakers said that this day was celebrated for the first time in 1911 in several countries. Later, in 1975, the United Nations officially recognized March 8. Since then, the day has become a symbol of women’s rights and equality worldwide. the day is not only a day of celebration but also of self-criticism and commitment.

It reminds us that despite progress on the path of equality, many women are still deprived of their basic rights. Therefore, not just symbolic respect, but real change is needed.

Everyone is called upon to ensure the basic rights of women from their respective positions. At the end of the discussion, sewing machines were distributed among nine successful women entrepreneurs by the Pari Development Trust.