They also demanded restoration of the original policy formulated in 1997 in the light of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (CEDAW) and Beijing Platform of Action.

The Karmojibi Nari organised the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club to protest the changes brought to the policy. It said the government has violated women's rights by dropping the provisions of equal rights to economic policy and inheritance and equal participation in employment.

Karmojibi Nari President Shirin Akhter said the government has brought the changes only to serve the interest of a vested quarter.

This amended policy will set back women's advancement, she added.

The rights organisations have been protesting the changes since last year, but the government remains indifferent, Shirin Akhter said.

She called for integrating the demands of the women into the mainstream movement.

Ayesha Khanam, general secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP), said the policy has been amended to curb women's participation in economic, political and administrative activities.

Tasmima Hossain, editor of the Anannya, said women's rights are human rights.

She called on both men and women to come forward to protect the women's rights.

She also called on the women's rights organisations to set up a resource centre for women.

Prof Latifa Akhand, Meher Afroz Chumki, Convenor of Jatiya Nari Jote Afroza Haque Rina, Hazera Sultana of Sammilita Nari Samaj, Selina Khaleque of Bangladesh Mahila Samity, Sayda Rizwana Hasan of Bangladesh Paribesh Ainjibi Samity, Kohinur Mahmud of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies also spoke.

A total of 35 women's rights organisations under the banner of Samajik Protirodh Andolon (social resistance movement) have been protesting the amendment to the national policy since 2005.