The Parliamentary Committee on the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs soughtan alternative to the female Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) in awarding the Guard of Honour after the death of the heroic freedom fighters. The Committee has recommended to the ministry to take necessary steps to determine alternative persons. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) strongly condemns and protests against such a recommendation.
According to news media reports, such a discriminatory recommendation was made during the meeting of the Committee held at the National Parliament on 13 June 2021. This information has been given via the Press Release of the Parliament Secretariat. Moreover, a member of the meeting said that usually women do not take part in the funeral prayers. Many have raised questions regarding this in the society. And thus, where there is a female UNO, it is necessary to appoint an alternative male officer,for giving guard of honour to the heroic freedom fighters. The committee made this recommendation in the light of this member’s remarks.

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses extreme shock over such an unsolicited and in considerate recommendation of the committee to impose restriction on the work of such women in state duties. Such recommendations of the committee are discriminatory, against the principles of equality and fairness, above all against the human rights of women. Such a recommendation is in conflict with Articles 19(3), 27 and 28 of the Constitution and the Government’s position on women’s empowerment. In addition, it is also inconsistent with the Government’s women’s development policy and Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality). ASK strongly protests and condemns against this and urges those performing important responsibilities to be more sensitive and aware of any advice or action.

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