International Women's Day was celebrated on Saturday with enthusiasm and diverse programmes across the districts including Gopalganj, Laxmipur, Joypurhat, Khulna, Pirojpur, and Rajbari.
The events highlighted women's empowerment, rights, and social contributions, bringing together government officials, civil society leaders, and local communities. The theme for the Day is with the theme "Today's Steps for Gender Equality: Securing the Rights of Women and Girls".
GOPALGANJ: Deputy Commissioner (DC)'s conference room hosted a seminar on the same theme, with DC Md. Arif-uz-Zaman as the chief guest and Additional DC SM Tarek Sultan presiding. Speakers included Superintendent of Police (SP) Md. Habibullah, District Council Administrator Amit Kumar Debnath, and Deputy Director of Women Affairs Laksan Laki, who encouraged participants to uphold women's dignity and recognise their contributions to national development.
LAXMIPUR: The district administration, Women Affairs Department, Conscious Citizens Committee (SONAC), and National Women Association organised a rally and discussion. DC SM Mehedi Hasan attended the event as the chief guest, and Additional DC Samrat Khisar presided over the programme. Special guests included SP Md. Abu Tarek, Deputy Director of Local Government Md. Jasim Uddin, and civil society leaders Professor Rafiqul Ahsan and Professor ZM Faruki.
The event also included the fourth-anniversary celebration of Laxmipur Government College's Blood Mission and recognition of women achievers. Professor Mahbube Elahi Sani, Philosophy Department, presided over it as the chief guest.
Across all districts, the celebrations reinforced the importance of women's empowerment, social respect, and protection of their rights, emphasizing that both men and women must work together to advance the nation. The events combined awareness, cultural programs, and practical support for women, reflecting Bangladesh's commitment to gender equality and social development.
KHULNA: To mark the Day, the programmes were jointly organised by the Khulna District administration, the Department of Women Affairs and the Jatiya Mohila Sangstha with the support of development partner organisations.
A discussion meeting was held in the conference room of the DC office in the morning.
Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Mokhtar Ahmed addressed the meeting as the chief guest.
In his speech, the chief guest said, there is no scope to neglect women. Like the rest of the world, Bangladesh observes International Women's Day every year with due respect and importance.
He said, inequality in society largely occurs against women and stressed that women should be considered first and foremost as human beings rather than only as mothers, sisters or wives.
Ensuring proper evaluation of women's labour is also the responsibility of all, he added.
The divisional commissioner also emphasised the need for ensuring a supportive working environment for women, suggesting the establishment of comfort rooms at workplaces so that female employees can perform their duties with safety and convenience.
DC A S M Jamshed Khondoker presided over the meeting.
Additional DC (Education and ICT) Kaniz Fatema Liza and Executive Director of the NGO MASAS Advocate Shamima Sultana Shilu also spoke at the function.
Deputy Director (In-charge) of the Department of Women Affairs Suraiya Siddika delivered the welcome address.
Officials from various government departments and representatives of women's organisations were present at the event.
Earlier, the chief guest inaugurated the Day's programme on the Khulna Collectorate premises.
A colourful rally led by Divisional Commissioner Md Mokhtar Ahmed started from Shaheed Hadis Park in the city in the morning and paraded different roads before ending at the Collectorate premises.
Members of women's organisations and people from different professions took part in the rally.
Meanwhile, the Social Development Foundation (SDF), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Finance, observed the day in a unique manner at Phultala upazila of Khulna with the cooperation of the upazila administration.
Around 100 women wearing the symbolic purple sari and 50 men in purple panjabi joined a rally carrying 52 types of placards, banners and festoons marking the 52nd observance of the day.
Phultala Upazila Nirbahi Officer Suchi Rani Saha attended the programme as the chief guest while Upazila Women Affairs Officer Rina Majumdar presided over the function.
Among others, SDF District Livelihood Officer Tasrin Zaman and other officials of the upazila administration were present along with around 250 women members.
The programme drew a large gathering of local people. Besides Phultala, the SDFalso observed International Women's Day in programmes organised by the Khulna District administration and in Paikgachha Upazila.
JOYPURHAT: The District Women Affairs Department hosted a seminar in the DC conference room, where Deputy Director Layla Nasrin Jahan presented a PowerPoint on women's issues.
DC Al Mamun Mia delivered the keynote speech, and Additional DC (Education & ICT) Jesmin Nahar spoke as special guest. Other dignitaries included Assistant District Primary Education Officer Zahurul Islam, Magistrate Jahangir Alam, and leaders of the District Women's Association.
A Women Entrepreneurs Fair was also organised jointly by the National Women Association and the district administration at the DC compound. The Socialist Women Forum, Joypurhat, held a separate discussion chaired by Rokeya Begum, featuring speeches from Comrade Wazed Parvez, Uttal Debnath, and Josna Pahan of the Women's Forum.
RAJBARI: The district marked the Day with a programme jointly organised by the district administration, National Women Association, Women Affairs Department, and NGO Federation. The event was presided over by Additional DC (General) Tariful Hasan, with DC Sultana Akter as the chief guest. Other speakers included Police Superintendent Mohammad Manjur Morshed, Dr. Mahmudul Haque, and Dr. Mohammad Sohel Sheikh representing the Civil Surgeon's Office.
Press Club President Kazi Abdul Quddus emphasised the need to end violence against women, while Women Affairs Officer Md. Azmir Hossain delivered the welcome speech. Forty disadvantaged women received financial assistance at the conclusion of the programme. PIROJPUR: To mark the Day, the district administration and the Directorate of Women's Affairs brought out a colourful rally on Sunday morning. It started from the Circuit House premises, paraded the main roads, and concluded on the DC office premises in the town.
A discussion meeting was subsequently organised in the conference room. DC Abu Sayed attended the meeting as the chief guest, while District Women's Affairs Officer Monika Akter presided over it.
Pirojpur Science and Technology University (PSTU) organised a discussion meeting on the premises of the university administrative building. The event was titled "Rights, justice and steps for all women and girls". Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam attended the event as the chief guest.
The Association of Development Agencies of Bangladesh (ADAB), along with Mahila Parishad and other local NGOs and human rights activists, brought out a rally. It began from the old DC office premises, paraded the main roads, and ended at the same venue.
A discussion meeting was held afterwards. Khaleda Akter Hena, President of Mahila Parishad, presided over the meeting.
Speakers included ADAB General Secretary Azad Hossain Bachchu, Uddipan representative Anup Kumar Biswas, Dake Diya Jai representative Asaduzzaman, and PDF Executive Director Md. Rafiqul Islam Panna.
