The International Fortnight for Elimination of Violence against women observed

The International Fortnight for Elimination of Violence against women was observed at Santal dominated Kamdia union under Gobindaganj upazila in the district today as elsewhere in the country and the globe with a call to build a peaceful society through stopping female oppression. 

Marking the fortnight, Abalamban Foundation, a voluntary organization   and Jana Uddyog, a social plat form,   chalked out the elaborate programmes that included cultural function and sports competition for the women and adolescent girls of Santal community under Nagorik Project funded by Manusher Jonno Foundation. 

The programmes began through holding a discussion meeting at Satana area under Kamdia union of the upazila at noon. 
President of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, district unit, Waziur Rahman Raphel presided over the meeting while president of Abalamban Foundation  and member secretary of  Jana Udyog Probir Chakrabartee moderated the meeting. 
General secretary of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosti, district unit, Shirin Akhter, female leader Anjali Rani Devi, indigenous leaders Raphel Baske, Pallabi Murmu, general secretary of Dhrubotara Mostafizur Rahman addressed the meeting among others. 

The speakers in their speeches said that Santal women are facing discrimination due to being a marginalized community. So, everyone should come forward to help them overcome this situation, they also said. The development of the country is not possible without the development of women, they said adding that The women of the ethnic community should be included in the mainstream of development. 

Later, the sports competition and cultural function were held through active participation of the Santal women and girls.

A large number of women and adolescent girls of Santal community participated in the programmes.