The Emphasis of Torturing Women

By Shakura

The pressing of women is one of the greatest problems in our country. The people who are illiterate and cruel, they oppress the women by many ways. They scorch the women physically and mentally. Someone treats his wife like an instrument of pleasures and luxury. Someone misconducts with his wife. Someone does not take care of his wife’s health. For this reason, women suffer from any kind of diseases. Some people like to annoyed women by teasing or touching.

In the low society, some husbands are addicted of wine. A drunk can make any harmful situation in the society. Women are unable to protect from oppressing and hooliganism. Again, our society cannot save them properly. Day by day, women are becoming weak by physically and mentally.

In the villages, a large number of people are retrograde. Many family members are not concern of the women because of their poverty, ignorance and illiteracy. They feed their boys properly; but not the girls. As the result, this inequality affects the women from childhood.

There are many superstitions in our country; like- dowry, pre-matured marriage etc. Therefore, acid violence, kidnapping, rape case are increasing in our society.

In the lower class of this country, a vast number of women are victimized in pregnancy also. The barbarism of that kind of men has no bindings. Recently, our government became more conscious to remove this problem. The non-government organizations also are working for women problems seriously.

International Day Against Violence Against Women

Cross posted from Techna Tara

25 November is the International Day Against Violence Against Women. Let’s join the UNIFEM call to “SAY NO to violence against women“. Narijibon bloggers also have signed the UNIFEM petition “SAY NO to violence against women. Narijibon bloggers joining the campaign with Take Back the Tech.

Today narijibon blogger have participated this day action with other women all over the world. I discussed with them on this International Day Against Violence Against Women. Narijibon bloggers will share their stories and thoughts which will be posted in narijibon blogsite.

Photo: Jesmin Ara Amzad

Fisher woman

Cross posted in Rafiq's Eye

I went to my village to see my mother and observe Eid-ul-fitr. I went to Barisal by Launch. From Barisal launch terminal we came to Taltoli ghat by rickshaw and got in a boat to go to my village. (Crossing a small river by boat we can easily get rickshaw to go to my village but we always prefer boat journey). On the way I saw a fisher woman family and surprised to see their life in boat.

I bought fish from them talked to them. This boat is their house. They do all the household works in this boat. I was very much surprised to see that five people live in this boat and face storm, rain and tidal bore etc. Anjali, her husband ( Shipon), two children ( Nitu, Setu) and mother-in-law (Shefali) are living in this boat. Anjali’s husband Shipon told me that he got this boat from his father. His father is dead. He was also a fisherman. His mother is also a fisher woman.

I wanted to know how they are living in boat facing rain, storm, cyclone etc. They told me that they are habituated in living in this way. Fishing is their inherited profession and they love it. They catch fish in the river or canal and sell in the market. Sometimes they sell fish to the villager going door to door.


Anjali told me that they have been facing problem to live in this small boat. If they can save money they will buy or build a big boat and this is their only dream.

Lonely alone mother

Translated by Nilufa Parvin
Written in Bengali: Shahida Islam Mony

It seems to me very lonely, alone
I can’t realize why I feel so.
Life is very multifarious,
At times it is colored, again colorless
Why I feel so?
How sweet the people of the earth are!
How sacred they are!
But somewhere unholiness, vulgarity are concealed.
Mother cannot keep her child in the vicinity of her
Child cannot drop tears, keeping head on their mother’s chest
What a dalliance of god is!
Who knows?
Can you tell when, how this impertinence, misery will be removed?
Cause of this failure is that I am a mother?
Have I no power to keep my child in my neighborhood?
Law! It is also in opposite with mother in this country.
It seems to that after a definite age,
There is no right to live child with their mother.
How insufferable, ridiculous the incident of earth is!
The mother who doesn’t know law,
The mother who can’t become rebel,
She also misses her child.
So it should occurs that child of all mothers being mislaid
And to fill mother’s heart with loud lamentation.
What’s the benefit if I struggle?
What’s the gain if I glowing my chest with tears?
Who needs to go away he will depart,
Who likes to come back he will return,
But mother’s are groaning, weeping with her rending heart…
It’s only for mother
This silently abandoned alone shed tears only for mother
This is not for others.

Shahida Islam Mony has recited her own writing poem in the Narijibon blog workshop on flickr. Watch more from video…

A Great Woman –Dr. Kathryn B. Ward

Cross posted from Bangladeshi Women

Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela and many others human being was famous for their sacrifice of valuable time, image, strength of mind and money. The woman awakening of bangle was thinking first time our admirable begum Rokeya Sakhawath Hossain. Just like that a great woman-- mother of Nari Jibon Dr. B. Ward thinks that the woman of Bangladesh should efficient to go away in advance to the long way. Besides that they need to be educated alternatively. We give her cordial respect and love.

She is an American, professionally professor and researcher. She had come in Bangladesh purpose on woman research. She came in Bangladesh and observed the weakness of Bengali women. She built up woman welfare basis organization`Nari Jibon project’ in 2005 with some kind hearted people of Bangladesh.

Welfare basis this organization cooperates to increase the skill and constructive work, such as-- computer, graphics design, photography, hardware, Bengali, tailoring and English Spoken etc. Such kinds of activities help a woman and never break off her progress to go front. So that they don’t need to depend on others. She could live as highly regarded person in society with lofty head and honour.

Nari Jibon helps the female to over come from defenseless and lead to move and stroll with proficiency. By dint of Nari Jibon, today I can browse Internet in spite of as a simple housewife. When I think that, I am a student of Nari Jibon and I feel proud. Here every teachers and students are female. So no gathering happens of male and female. This type of Nari Jibon office environment is very comfortable for women. I have no idea about the same type of organization is there in any other places.

As a good wisher, I strongly oppeal and demand from my core heart –should more expended the branches of Nari Jibon in other places, especially women who lives in villages. They could do better if they would get opportunity. Welfare related organization slighthy think for those type of woman as a result in spite of merit they are confined in a narrow area.

In the end, again I wish good luck to Madam and May Nari Jibon lives long, and it extends in all districts even villages in the whole country. Through her core helping every women of Bangladesh can be expert, active and self-confident. Dr. Kathryn B. Ward may live by the heart of skillful and successful women.

Woman

Translated by: Kazi Rafiqul Islam
Written in Bengali: Shahida Islam Mony

O woman, at times you are mother
Wife, sister or beloved at times.
You have filled the world
With love and affection.
But what did you get
With all these sacrifices?
Just once ask yourself
You will get the reply.
You are blank, alone, you are incomplete
Because you are a Bengalee woman.
Tears in your eyes
Shut your eyes
And feel from the core of your heart
Laments, laments and laments only.
Still you are a woman
You have to endure silently everything.
Then why observe this Women’s Day?
Come on woman, stand upright
Now is the time to protest.
No longer will you be the victim of slavery.
No more tears in the eyes
Not any more laments
Keep protesting o woman
And break the silence.
We are not helpless; no more will we remain slaves
Chant slogans, march forward on this Women’s Day.

Lunch of garment workers

By Golam Rabbany Sujon

First Published

Large industrial units/ offices/ organizations or factories have opportunities for lunch like canteen system from where workers get scope to take foods in cheap prices or easily. They also get scope to take tea, snacks, pure water etc. There is also a good numbers workers work in the garment factories in Dhaka city. Do you know the facilities of lunch for these poor garment workers? I have talked with some garments workers (especially with Masuma, Mafia who worked long days (10 years) in the garments factories) and find out this information. Masuma worked in 6 garment factories. She did not found any places for taking lunch in four garment factories and two factories had eating place/dinning place on the roofs where had not any furniture.

Masuma looks slim and also looks suffering from insufficient nutrition!!!
Same–same every garment workers----

Masuma told “Garment workers receive one hour to take lunch. Garment workers who live in long distance from their factories bring their lunch from their houses by lunch box or plastic pots. But garment workers who can go (on foot) to their houses within 15 minutes don’t want to curry their lunch. Because garment workers can take any poor dishes at their house like rice/stale rice with any vegetable mash or curry or stale food or anything what they have. But if they want to take they need something fresh or better items or they become shameful for poor foods to their colleagues.Garment workers walk very fast and they can go 1 kilo within 15 minutes. So, many garment workers can not take any rest for a while after taking lunch besides their speedy lunch. Garment workers who take lunch to the garment factories has to take lunch sitting on the stairs, balcony or standing on the moving places. They can not take lunch in their working spots.” She also told “garment workers don’t get supply of pure water. Garment workers collect water for drinking from the bathroom and some factories have basin. But is this water pure? But senior level officers have pure water facilities.” Masuma also told “garment workers often become sick. Usually they are affected by diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice, gastric and other stomach problems etc. If garment workers suffer more days from sick, their salary has been cut and if they may be discharge from their job.” Masuma became sick three times in last few months and she mainly suffered from stomach problem. Mafia became sick two times in last two months and she had to take rest 20 days for being recovered from sick.

Rain cannot stop their walking when garment workers go to their house to take lunch as their lunch period is very short. We can often see that garment workers are going to take lunch while raining.

Garments industry players are being billionaires by the help of these poor, industry workers. Will it be very difficult to supply pure water for these garment workers while they are being sick often taking direct supply water? Will it be more expensive to arrange canteen/mass system for taking in the garment factories? Garments authorities can discharge the garment workers easily and they also can collect garment workers easily because there are available unemployed workers in Bangladesh. Are they taking this scope? These garment workers are also keeping a great role on our national economy. So, why government can not take a role to save them while they are demanding ration card of daily necessary things as they can go on with their little income?

Silent tears of a woman

Translated by: Golam Rabbany Sujon
Written in Bengali: Taufika Farzana

Even in the 21st century, Bangladesh is in the course of poverty and illiterate. Here the children of lower income family go to work instead of going to school. Their family is dependent on their income. There are enough needy girls around us whose lives go with distress. I’ll say about a girl, a black shadow of sorrow has come in her life.

The name of the girl is Jhorna. Every incident of her life is full of weeping; there is no shadow of happiness in her life. “Forests express the events of sorrow throwing weeping; we call spring (Jhorna). Forests express its events of sorrow but Jhorna did not express her distress and events of crying to others. She pressed down her sorrow with stone in her mind. She passed her frighten life patiently. The birth place of Jhorna is Faridpur. There she used to live with her along with her brother and sisters. They are six sisters and one brother. Jhorna is the third number in their family. Jhorna lost her father when she was three years old. Then the situation of their family became bad to worse. Other sister and brother used to contribute in the family before their marriage but after getting married they became busy in their own respective families. So, once Jhorna had to control their family and thus she was passing her difficulties life. In this time she also fell in love and got married. She was passing her conjugal life with happy by taking with two daughters and husband. Jhorna thought that her distress days had gone but she could not pass her happy family life so long because her husband left her. Sorrows were increasing day by day in her life. She went out for searching work to give food her mother and daughters. She started to work as a housemaid that was not sufficient to bear her family. So, she started to look another work and she got a job in our college canteen. Then she made her daughters admitted in a school. She has been working for six months in our college canteen. She can laugh living in such difficulties. She spends all of her earning money for living and prosecuting her daughters study. She can understand that there is no value of life without education. Her first daughter is reading in class-3 and younger one is reading in class-1. She has great hope; her daughter will be scholar offer being educated. She does want to make their life like her.

I think that love is not main thing in the life to live in this world, establishment is necessary. In our society women are disregarded, deprived and they are violated in many ways. So, all of us ought to make our position strong. We should go towards a new alight path.

A tale of a woman

Translated by: Golam Rabbany Sujon
Written in Bengali: Rozy Alam

If we heard the word NARI (woman) we think a woman who is powerless, simple and soft hearted. I’ll write about a Nari who have huge dreams, hopes and love. Her name is Komola, got married at her childhood. Komola had huge dreams. She wanted to go to school, would learn study and she would be great. Getting more education she wanted to develop her life. But Komola could not implementation her dreams because Komola was a daughter of a poor family. Poverty was main fault of her life. Her parents had no ability to prosecute her study. Suddenly Komola got married and she had to leave all of her classmates and neighboring friends. Tears are falling from her dreamy eyes. Days, months and years go and thus she passed 20 years. If Komola would implement her dreams, probably she would be a doctor or an educated mother. But it is very sorrow news that now she is working as a hand-made cake seller in the road side. Not only this she also became a mother but illiterate, poor and industrious mother, not educated mother. Komola sells cake sitting a roadside whole day long in the capital city. Everyday she makes powder four kilogram rice and makes chitoy pitha and vapa pitha. She makes pitha and waits for customers. Komola maintains her family by selling these pithas. Komola’s family is consisted eight members with her four daughters, two sons and one husband. Her husband is unemployed. Komola suffers frustration with her small children. All-day long she thinks how she will collect house rent and food expenditure of family members. Komola looks aged but if she would not get early marriage and she would get chance to study, she does not look aged. Thus she is passing her daily life.

Every day while I return from Nari Jibon I see Komola and I feel sad. As I heard her life history from her own I was able to write and think about her but I know there are thousands of vulnerable women in our country like Komola whom I don’t know. If a woman can do something good than a man we became highly attracted but we don’t try to protest when we see a girl is given in marriage instead of study. But why? Do we can not help when they face problem or to implement their dreams? Are we such kind of unable? I don’t want to refuse everything, yet there are some people who help women and respect women. As an example “Nari Jibon” is an organization that works only for women’s good luck.

I want to thank every teacher and staff especially Dr. Kathryn B. Word who is the founder of Nari Jibon on behalf of every students of Nari Jibon regarding on International women day. If women in our country get scope that Nari Jibon provides they will be aware about their lives, aware about their rights, don’t bear violence staying at house, they will be defendant like me. Our women also have something to say, to know and to see and we’ll tell, see and know.

A life with dowry problem

By Golam Rabbany Sujon
Video edited by Tarun Falia

My name is Laizu and I am about 20 years old. I was born in Dhaka and my parents came to Dhaka before my birth from Gopalgonj village under Faridpur district. I am the eldest child of my parents. My father is a Rickshaw mechanic and mother is a housewife. We have only a house and homestead in the village. I have two younger sisters and one younger brother. My younger sister Mousumi (17) studied up to class-7 and recently she started to work in a garment factory. Another younger sister Rumee (13) is reading in class-7 and younger brother is reading in class-2.

The financial condition of our family is not good. My father somehow maintains our family. After studying up to class-9 I had to stop my study due to poverty. My father is only one earning member of our family. My father rented a room in a tin-shed building where we (six members) live in very congested.

Laizu with her child

I got married with a young boy named Manik aged 25. Manik used to work in a car garage. Their family was known to our family for last long years in Dhaka. Their home district is Comilla. His mother used to call my father as her elder brother. Both of our guardians were discussing about our marriage. But none of them took any final decision/step. In the meantime we made good relation. One day (January 2007) Manik told me that his father became very sick and he wanted to see me. Then Manik took me to one of his relative’s house and got married. Few days later we returned to our family. But Manik’s family did not take it easily. Her parents demanded 1, 20,000 taka as they were trying to send Manik abroad. Then Manik started to live with their family. In the meantime became pregnant. After being pregnant Manik started to behave with me very rough. We heard that Manik would go abroad but he did not tell me or us anything. One day he was not returning from his workplace. Later we heard that he left Bangladesh and went Saudi Arab. He did not communicate with me or us. My parents communicated with Manik’s family and started to solve the problem. After a long discussion Manik parents agreed to take her as their son’s wife instead of 70,000 taka as dowry. My father paid 40000 taka and in the time I gave birth to a female child and I became sick. My father had to spend about 25000 taka due to my sickness but none of my law’s family member came to see me or my daughter. Later they inform that they would not take me to their house before returning their son from abroad.

But my father gave them money selling our color television and freeze. They also took some loan from a local co-operative society. Still now they are paying installment to this co-operative society. My younger sister gave up her study and took a job in a garment factory due to poverty.

Laizu’s also said “My parents are very poor and they live in hand to mouth in very difficulties. I am living with my daughter and my baby also needs some extra expenditure that is increasing day by day. At present I am an extra burden to my parents. I can not want to my parents anything for child as they became poorer for my good luck. So I felt to earn some money. So when my baby was only two months I started to learn tailoring from Nari Jibon. Now I can make all kinds of baby’s dresses, various kinds of woman’s dresses and some kinds of male dresses. But I failed to buy a sewing machine. Sometimes I collect dress making order from my neighboring people and I make these dresses going to a neighboring woman who has a sewing machine and sometimes I make these dresses going to Nari Jibon office but everyone knows that this is my own dress. Thus I am earning some money but I get this scope for a while. I am trying to lend some money to buy a sewing machine and so I am going to some of relatives/known persons but I am failure.”

Media’s role on women’s development

By Rabbany Sujon

First Published

Few days ago we passed “International women’s day 2008”. Many women organizations and human rights organization arranged sufficient programs in Bangladesh regarding that day. Purush Somabesh (male gatherings) at Dhanmondi Robindra Sorobor was one of the attractive and praiseworthy programs. Thousands of young people participated there willingly. Some popular singers sang songs besides discussion on violence against women. Most of the TV channels, Radio and other Medias focused these programs. Well e very well. People who could not attend in these ceremonies, they learned many things through these media programs. Thus, media can make people aware about many things that are dark in our society.

I think violence against women increasing in our society only for ignorance. People have not sufficient knowledge on women’s rights. Media can keep sufficient contribution to reduce women’s violence.

But what can we learn all around the year? I would like to discuss about some advertisements that are showcased in the whole year by the media channels.

I can see an advertisement of Bangladesh Olympic Association’s on “Crira Unnoyan lottery” everyday several times on BTV where displays that ----
‘A young woman was taken to a young man for choosing her as his bride/wife. (This is an ancient ceremony before getting married in our society). Then young man becomes very worried to see the young girl as she did not wear sufficient ornaments. Then one of guardians or matchmaker takes him to another room and shows a lottery, he tells that you will get everything by this lottery if- -. Then bridegroom becomes happy and gets married.’
Here what is the advertisement teaching us? Are ornaments or valuable things or everything essential for every woman? What will happen if bridegroom don’t get lottery price?

Let’s have a look at another TV advertisement of a famous Cosmetic Company. It displays that----
‘A young girl failed to collect any job in the job markets. Later she started to use beauty cream and she became beautiful within two weeks and gets a rich job easily.’
What does the advertiser want to mean by this advertisement? Are all the jobs reserved for white skinned women?

There are huge advertisements (Soap, cream etc) are shown in the various TV channels where that the black skinned women are underestimated. These advertisements make very sorrow to the black skinned women and make a negative sense to the male persons against black skinned women.

We can also learn observing some clothe washing soap/detergent powder’s advertisements that clothes washing tasks are only for women and that have been done from ancient. Though most of the commercial laundries are lead by the male persons. Same-same we are also learned from some spice companies advertisements that all the cooking tasks are only for women and that have been done from ancient though most of the restaurant and first food shop are leaded by male persons.

Few days ago I saw an advertisement of a car fair in a daily news-paper where some new model cars were with two young girls. Those girls wore nice and short dress. I did not understand why these girls are beside these cars. I know that new cars are used by rich businessmen or high officers.
Are not these girls used as goods or sex object? We can see on the TV commercial everyday in many advertisements that women are using as goods and sex objects if you look these by your naked eyes.

Add producers, TV commercials and women/models who act in these kinds of advertisements should think about the add concept before making those. We know media is the conscience of the society. The society can be affected by the media both positively and negatively. We hope the media will take step to make awareness in the society and help to reduce the negative sense on add concept.

Education for Women

By Aysha Parveen

A nation can not get progress without education because education is the back bone of a nation. Every people should be educated. Women are the part of our nation. Without education women can not prosper in their life. An educated mother can make an educated family. If women can prosper in their life then a nation can be developed.

Bangladesh is a small and developing country. Education is the part of our life. So Bangladesh will not be success without a proper education. Most of the people are women here. For this reason women are the very important part of our country. An educated woman can help to build a developed nation. Every woman will be a mother. An educated woman can take and make decision in every step in life. They can build their career in many sectors, like: - computer, banking, education, NGO and many other government sectors. As a result our nation can be connected with the other development countries. It helps to develop a country in many sectors. So education is very important for every woman’s life.

Bangladeshi women are very helpless because most of the women of our country are illiterate. They are tortured in many ways because most of them are uneducated. An educated woman can get progress in her life very easily. In the conclusion, we can say that every woman should be educated. It is really very important for a nation.

Dowry System in Bangladesh

By Nurunnahar Islam Munni

Bangladesh is a development country. In this country there are many kinds of unpleasant customs. Dowry is the most common unpleasant custom of those. It creates many problems. It is against the success of our country.

Through this custom the bride has to give a large amount of money, furniture, ornaments and many things to the bridegroom. It is a very terrible situation for the society. Women & their family suffer a lot for this dowry system.

I think poverty, illiteracy, narrow mentality, negative attitude to the women, dependence on husband and living on their income, social corruption etc are the main cause of dowry. Some time bridegroom wants money to do business or want to make his life settle with that money. In the village if brides are not beautiful to look at or if they get late married then they are to give a lot of money as dowry to the bridegroom.

It is a much unexpected situation for the bride’s family members. They are to collect a huge amount of money for their daughters’ or sisters’ marriage. Sometime they are to take loan, sell their lands, furniture, ornaments and even their own house to collect the money. They are to lose many things and face many problems for this dowry system.

We saw that women are tortured when they can not give any money to their husband. Some time we hear and see in the newspaper that some women are killed, some are hung and some are burnt by their husband, in-law’s family members and others.

For this dowry system divorce, doing suicide, mental and physical tortures, number of broken family are increasing day by day. It is also affecting on the new generation. They can not give attention in their education; can not contribute in any development activities. It hampers their mental development.

This custom is very disgraceful for our country. So we should try hard to remove this system from our country. There are some laws to remove it. But we can not apply them properly. We have to try to use these laws properly. There should be more steps on women’s right in our Law system. We should change our outlook, mentality by our Law rules. Narrow mentality of the greedy people should be changed and a hard punishment should be given to them.

But good thing is that, at present our Government is aware about it. Therefore this system is changing. In the past it was so high in our country. Now we have a law that who will give dowry and take dowry--- all will be known as a criminal. So if we stop giving dowry then I think that this system will be end soon.

“Give me an Educated Mother; I will give you an Educated Nation”

By Nurunnahar Islam Munni

It is told that, education is the backbone of any nation. Without education none can prosper in life. Nobody can live a happy and successful life. But most of the time girls can not continue their education for many reasons. Therefore they become dependent on men and they are to face many unexpected situations.

Educated girls can lead her life with a good planning. They get physical and mental satisfaction than uneducated girls. She knows how to enjoy life and keep a happy family.

I think that educated girls are different from other girls. If girls become educated they will be conscious about their rights. Then they will be able to conduct their life in right way.

An educated mother can maintain her family and teach her children properly & give proper guidance. She can be very conscious about her children’s health and nutrition. She is more conscious about her family than an uneducated girl. Therefore it is told that “Give me an educated mother, I will give you an educated nation”. So girls’ educations are not necessary only for herself or for her family, but it is also necessary for the whole nation.

Girls are learning in Nari Jibon English class

She can go ahead with men. She can remove superstitious of her family members by her wisdom and knowledge. She can provide better care for her family.

She can do job and can help her family financially. Day by day the living cost is increasing. So it is becoming tough to maintain a family on one’s income. An educated girl can do job and can help her family financially, better than an uneducated girl.

So we can say that if we can get an educated mother in every family, we will be able to give an educated and healthy future for the new generation.

Jarina Begum: Who Makes & Sells Cake

By Nina Sultana Mim

Pitha [cake] is a traditional food of Bangladesh. Pitha is the most favorite food both in village and town of our country. It is very favorite food as breakfast in the winter morning.

Pitha is sold in many places in the city. Maximum women are done this pitha making business on the roadside of the cities and villages of Bangladesh. They make and sell pitha. Most of the customers are rickshaw pullers, CNG and Taxi-cab Driver etc.

Recently I have talked to a Pitha Nari. Her name is Jarina Begum. She makes and sells Pitha from morning to evening. She makes pitha by using smash of rice, sweets. She uses stove and a pot of soil. She sells Pitha in cheap price.

Jarina Begum told me that she tries to maintain her family by selling these Pithas. Her husband is a rickshaw puller. She has two sons and two daughters. They can not go to school for lacking of money. She passes her life in sorrow and poverty. She lives in a dirty environment with her family.
For their poverty they do not get fresh food, water and good shelter. Her children are also deprived from education, though education is the backbone of a nation. None can prosper in life without education.

She told me that her family members are suffering from malnutrition. She also told me that they suffer for flood, storm, mosquito, dirty smell and many diseases.

It seems to me that their position is very bad. Their life is very difficult.

She had also told me that she needs rice and sweets to make pithas which are very expensive to buy. She makes Vapa Pitha, Chitoy Pitha and different types & delicious pithas. When I was talking with her then I bought two Pithas. She was very happy to sell.

She also told me that: “Sister we have many sorrows; but there is none to realize our sorrows.”

After having the pithas, I found that Jarina Begum makes very sweet, delicious and wonderful Pithas.

The Problem is—‘I am a woman’

By Golam Rabbany Sujon

I am Afroza, age 16, when I used to read in the school my mummy used to give me company to go and returned from my school everyday. Now I read in a girls’ college but still now my mummy gives me company almost everyday when I go out side of our house. My elder brother is only three years senior than me but he goes to the school and college alone. How independent my brother is!

I am Rifat (17), I used to read in a school where we lived and I used to go to school alone but I returned with my classmates. One day I was going to school alone, in the street a young man said indicating me such a sentence which struck me and I cried out. That guy said that I am ripe, juicy and heavy goods etc. I became angry too and that’s why some people crowded. Then I was asked many questions by the people so that I was struck more and I cried out more.

My parents and brother did not allow me to go to the school for several weeks and later I started to go to the school by another way with my guardian. I started to use veil by the advice of my guardians and I walked in the street without looking all around. I just keep my head down when I remain at outside. Almost all the time my mother stayed with me when I used to go outside from our house. Still now I can not move independently or alone.

Now I read in a college my brother also reads in same college. My elder brother participates in various programs besides his study and he also participates in students’ agitation. He can come to the house anytime but my parents don’t scold him but if I don’t wear veil any day they scold me whether it may be very hot day. How independent my elder brother is!!

I am Meghla, age 15. I was reading in a high school and there was a college for higher education where male and female students study. It was before SSC examination a local naughty boy sent a love proposal and I refused his proposal and later he sent marriage proposal to my guardians by his guardians. But my guardians refused to give marriage with him and as a result being angry they threatened to kidnap me and made unexpected problem. It is mentioned that the family was more powerful financially and politically than our family. Then I had to stop going to school and I started to study at our home. I participated in the SSC examination under the control of my guardians. After finishing my examination I was sent to my maternal uncle’s house. I passed SSC examination successfully. Being happy with my SSC result my guardians made me admitted in a college in Dhaka. I am interested to go to the village but I can not go to the village. Now I come to know that my guardians are searching a suitable boy to give me marriage soon. My parents want to be free from danger by giving me marriage soon.

I am Surovi, age 17, is reading in a private Dental Medical College. My parents are also educated and they live out of Dhaka. Few months ago my parents bought a cell phone for me for better communication. I was introduced with a Dhaka University student by one of my classmates. Almost every late night he used to phone me and we talked for long time. Day by day we have become intimate friend but we used to communicate through mobile phone only. But soon one of my relatives knew about it and it became a rumor. Last month my guardians called me and seized my mobile phone. They also stopped my study and they did not allow me to come to Dhaka for study. But I would not get married that boy without my guardians’ permission or before completing my study. Now I am informed that my guardians are trying to give me marriage soon.

I am Sumi; age 22. I am the first of three sisters and one younger brother. My father maintains our family by his small earning with much difficulty. We (sisters and brother) could not continue our study properly due to financial crisis. I am passing time at my birth family and helping my mother doing some household works. Few months ago I took skill on tailoring from a NGO. I was very interested to earn money and to help my father financially. After learning tailoring skill I joined in a tailoring shop by the help of one of my relatives. Then my parents were not fully agreed. But I felt happy as I was able to earn some money though it was not good amount. But disturbance started when I had to work after evening (up to 9.00 pm) before EID ceremony. Then the shop owner took more emergency orders from the customers. At that time my parents prohibited going to the workplace and I had to stop to work. My mother said to me that women should not work outside of house after evening. Later I tried to make my mother understand by discussing our financial problem. But my mother said that, outside people would think bad and talk bad words if I work after evening. That can be affected on me and my younger sisters’ and brother’s marriage. After hearing that I became speechless and couldn’t understand what I should say. Still now I am keeping my silence.

I am Fency Rahman (30) joined last week in a private company. There are found few Rickshaws and one or two CNG scoters in the street near our office gate. But bus-stand is few minutes walking distance from our office. Seeing me some rickshaw pullers demand high fare and CNG drivers say his meter is damaged and demand high charge than the real charge. I am to use rickshaw or CNG as there is no alternative way and they don’t reduce their demand as they know I can not walk long time and I am a woman.

Last week in last month, one day I had no money in my hand and after office I went to the bus-stand on foot like other male staff of my office. But alas! I did not get permission to get up in the bus though every 15-20 minutes later bus was coming in the bus-stand. Before stopping bus, helper shouted “Empty seats available for Rampura-Badda-Uttora-Tongi but women seats fill up, please don’t get any women”. But male passengers got up in the bus forcefully but I failed to get up in the bus. I have heard this slogan everywhere in every bus-stand though there were no empty seats in the bus and male passengers were seated in the women fixed seat in very congested.
So, what can I do! Later I came at home by a Rickshaw as there was no way. I also had to think that I can not stay for long time in the bus-stop alone as known person could see me and criticize me.

I am Kulsum Banu, (25) got married six years ago with daily laborer (mason) who lived near our village. In the meantime I have given birth to two sons. Elder one is 4 years and younger one is one year old. My husband used to maintain the family by his daily income and he had no property except his small homestead and a cottage. Five months ago I took TK 5000 loan from a local NGO to earn some extra money by doing a small business. But one month later my husband came to Dhaka to work as a mason. Four months already passed but my husband did not contact with me. I was just informed that my husband was working at middle Badda in Dhaka. Every week NGO workers come to take installment and but I can not give. Other money lenders and NGO workers insult me. I have started to work in other families as a temporary housemaid and I am passing time with my children with extreme difficulties. I can not collect work in the village. My husband does not come and I don’t know his address. I want to go to him but my relatives don’t support me to go to Dhaka as I am a woman. Now what will I do? Suicide!!! I don’t know—I can not think.


These kinds of incidents happen often around us to the women. These are common incidents to the women’s lives and these kinds of problems don’t broadcast. Women bear these harassments silently. But how many days will they tolerate???

The Mentality has changed on Women’s outside working

Salma Siddiqa Mumu

To be a girl I feel that women are playing an important role every where in our life. Now they are not confined within the four walls of their parent’s or husbands’ house. They have come out from the kitchens and they are working beside the men. They are also participating in all the developing activities of the Government. They can maintain their families as well as doing outside works.

By getting higher education women are becoming pilots, doctors, engineers, teachers, administrators etc. They gain the ability to prove their worth. They are contributing a lot in the economy of the country. Now people can realize that true development of the county is impossible if women stay at home.

There is no need to say that women are playing a great role in the socio-economic area of our country. Women are participating in various activities to be financially independent. Day by day the financial pressures of children’s education, accommodation and daily expenses are becoming high. So they can’t maintain their families on their husband’s income. So some women are working because their incomes are needed to solve the growing costs of living. They just want to help their husband. Many families, especially the poor families’ welcome the women’s extra income.

Women are getting a great respect in the society by their earning power. But of course there is still a long way to cross to discover their full potentiality in the job marker.

If I were A Prime Minister of Bangladesh!!!

By: Ruma Akter

Human life is full of dreams. Most of the time, it travels in the dream land. But all the dreams do not come true. I have a dream to be A Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Though it is an impossible wish, but I really wish that. If it would happen in my life, I would like to use all the opportunities to develop our country.

Our country is an undeveloped country. It is surrounded by poverty, terrorism and nepotism etc. If I were the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, I would make the country as self-reliant. I would offer a terrorism and nepotism free society for the people of Bangladesh. I would try to turn the wheel of fate of the poverty-stricken people.

Education is the precondition of development. If I were the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, I would make the education compulsory for all.

Bangladesh belongs as undeveloped country. Most of the people live under the poverty line. Unemployment is also a great problem in our country. For the alleviation of unemployment problem and poverty, I would take some effective steps, such as-- initiative of industrializations, agricultural development etc. To develop agriculture I would try to use scientific methods in agricultural sector. Thus I would help to raise the economical side of the country.

I would like to change my country by investing money in agriculture, developing the technical education, solving the basic requirements of life and increasing the rights of women.

I would try to do everything to make the people happy and prosperous of my country. That’s why I wish -- if I were A Prime Minister!!!

How long the women will suffer!

By: Sherin Sultana

We are seeing for many days about some activities on violence against women. But did it remove yet? Now I would like to write some lines on my friend Muna who had escaped from her home with his boy friend, Shajal.

Recently Muna has passed Higher Secondary Certificate. Her mind was full with colorful dreams. After finishing graduation Shajal was doing a job. Muna had no idea that the color of love can be changed. All of her loves and dreams were proved false within some days of her marriage.

Muna realized that Shajal did not love her. He just loved the wealth and money of her family and to get that entire wealth he married her. Shajal was forcing her for 2 lac taka, ornaments and furniture. Though Muna got married against her family and they didn’t accept her marriage it was not possible to bring all these from her family and that’s why Muna couldn’t make lasting for a long time in her father in law’s house.

In this large world there was no place where she could go, she was feeling very helpless and alone. Though she left her family and got married against her family, so she had no chance to go there. For the sake of life at last Muna came to Dhaka and within some days she got a job in a private clinic as a nurse. The days were going on but Shajal didn’t take any news of her. When Shajal got the news that Muna was doing a job he came to her, but not for the shake of love. He came to take money from Muna and from then he came regularly.

In this way after passing two years Shajal became crazy to take Muna back. There is no need to think that Shajal has changed and became a good man. But he didn’t get changed. Actually he tried to use a new technique to take money. Though they live together in a same house but mentally they live in a different world. They don’t share anything of their life. Muna didn’t understand about Shajal’s technique.

The great mistake of Muna was to be disobedient with her family. So now she is suffering everything silently. Her every day is passing with this hope that, one day Shajal will realize his mistakes.

Not only in uneducated, half educated or lower class family; the educated women like Muna are also oppressed by high educated person like Shajal. Only the processes of harassments are changed. Now a day the number of physical persecution is getting low but mental and economical persecution are being added as violence.

If any one is born as woman she must have suffer any type of harassments. But how long it will be continued? The women should understand that they should fight to remove the violence against them. At first they need to change their mentality to tolerate every torture and they should take care of themselves. I think then they will be able to make their own fields.

When Nari Jibon acts as an alternative skill provider

Written by M.G. Rabbany ‘Sujan’

Population is increasing rapidly in Bangladesh day by day and the same time the percentage of educated persons is also increasing. Almost at the same time women’s education is also increasing from previous levels. But Bangladesh government and economy are failing to create sufficient work for these educated populations. These educated and unemployed populations are facing heavy competition to get a job and are struggling with many difficulties. These unemployed and disappointed educated people are also suffering from cheater & bogus employment authorities and corrupted officials even more.

In this situation educated women are also struggling to get a job. Even now women have many obstacles to get a job in our country as they can not join every kind of job. Scarcity of skill is also another problem to get a job for Bangladeshi women. Although the percentage of educated women is increasing, some are not interested to take skills for developing their career and getting jobs. They complete only academic study, but they (also their guardians) are not interested to take skills that can make them competitive in this job market.

Anyway, Nari Jibon provides women with alternative skills according to the demand of the students. Nari Jibon provides Bangla, English language skills, computer and Tailoring skills beside other packages skills (like- Business Management, Photography, Blog etc. with other awareness programs) with internship and more practice time at women cyber café. In the mean time many students already have taken skills from Nari Jibon organization.

The good news is that, recently Bangladesh Election Commission appointed some manpower temporary (for preparing voter and national ID card project). We have learned that some more students were offered jobs. We have informed that already Jesmin ara Amzad, Kamrun nahar, Rozy Alam and Zannat ara Amzad have joined for doing that job. They will be able to work for 3 months at their own area office and 3 months another area office but inside Dhaka if they agreed. They will get 5 taka per voter sheet and their post’s name is computer operator. Kamrun nahar joined as supervisor of a group of computer operators and Rozy Alom has joined as data collector. These students have taken English and computer skills and they are running students & bloggers of Nari Jibon organization still now.

We have also learned that some more students got offer to join the jobs such as Sathi, Moyna, Sultana Dilroba, Suchitra, Sultana begum etc but they did not join the job due to some problems like their guardians were not agreed to work after the evening and some of their personal causes.

Students who have joined to this post also faced almost same problems but they have overcome their problems to make agreement for work with their guardians.

I wish to congratulate these students and pray for them to go ahead through the Blog site of Nari Jibon. Also we (staff & students) are grateful to all the DONORS.

The introductions are given below of those students who have joined to the Election Commission’s recent project:

Jesmin-ara-amzad
















Jesmin ara Amjad (id# 713), blogger of Nari Jibon and student of English-2 and Computer Section. She is reading in class-15 at Khilgoan Model College University.


Zannat-ara-amzad













Zannat ara Amzad (ID# 712) blogger of Nari Jibon blog site and student of English-2, Computer Section. She has completed H.S.C. examination last year and she is trying to take admission in any university.


Kamrun-nahar Pushpo















Kamrun nahar Pushpo (ID# 715), She is new blogger of Nari Jibon blog site and student of English-2 and Computer Section. She is reading in class-15 at Khilgoan Model College University.


Rozy Alom












Rozy Alom (ID# 555), She is the student of English-2 and Computer Section of Nari Jibon. She has joined as data collector. She is also working in a kinder garden school as a teacher.


Anjuman-ara-ali
















When I was writing this article, another Nari Jibon’s graduate (English and Computer) student named Anjuman-ara-ali (ID# 451 ) came to visit our office and informed that last month she joined in a Multinational Company named Flora Limited as a Sales Executive where she will get 5500 taka per month as her salary.