Bangladesh Mahila Parishad organised the seminar titled 'CEDAW: Observation on Bangladesh Situation' at Cirdap auditorium marking the CEDAW Day .

The speakers said the government is not implementing the provisions that are already ratified and has brought sudden amendment to the National Women Development Policy, which is against the spirit of the main principles of CEDAW.

Parishad General Secretary Ayesha Khanam said progress in implementing CEDAW is quite sluggish and backward looking.

"The government could not hold direct election to the seats reserved for women in parliament due to lack of political will. Besides, the government is indifferent to the issues of women rights and equality," she said.

She said a quarter has been trying to create confusion about women's rights and their work and that should be resisted.

Dr Nusrat Ameen in her keynote paper said provisions of equal partnership, equal rights and equal dignity of women have been dropped from the policy, which is a hindrance to implementing the CEDAW.

She mentioned the objectives of CEDAW, initiatives taken by different ministries, obstacles to implementation, state of family violence, social violence and legal aid access to women.

She stressed the need for coordination among different ministries and the non-government organisations for policy implementation. Besides, it needs monitoring and evaluation for implementing different programmes, she added.

Khaleda Mahbub, vice-president of the Parishad, presided.

Khaleda said the National Women Development Policy was prepared under the light of CEDAW and Beijing Platform for Action.

Nasimun Ara Huq Minu, president of Nari Sangbadik Kendra, moderated the seminar.

Rights activists from different organisations were present at the seminar.