Catholic women back equal rights draft in Bangladesh

(April 19, 2011) A New Women Policy has raised hopes for Bangladeshi women as the ground-breaking draft legislation will give them equal rights. The National Women Development Policy 2011 (NWDP) is currently the hottest topic in the country and the subject of heated debate. Most civil groups back the policy, while some political parties and Islamic groups strongly condemn it, saying it goes against Holy Scriptures, the Qu’ran and Islamic laws.
Catholic women leaders favour the NWDP. “The new policy acknowledges equal rights for men and women. It will really benefit women, who for so long have been oppressed,” said Rita Costa, Women Desk convener of the Episcopal Commission for Laity. In comments on Tuesday she said “Extremists oppose it without understanding it.”
The government approved the draft on March 7 and the bill is due to go before parliament soon. The Islamic Law Implementation Committee (ILIC) has declared “war” against the move and is holding a series of demonstrations over the next two months. However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Sunday, “The government will not give in to the malice of ‘religious traders’ who oppose the draft without having read it or knowing it is not in conflict with the Qu’ran.” She accused several political parties of trying to “fish in dirty water” with foul play.