Speakers at a seminar on Saturday urged the government to give more attention to women issues in preparing budget for next fiscal.

They called for adequate allocation to ensure safe delivery and women's health, and for keeping no gender discriminations in allocating fund for men and women in the budget. Action Aid Bangladesh and Human Development Research Centre (HDRC) jointly arranged the seminar on "Gender-based budget allocation: Procedural Issues" in BIAM auditorium, a press release said.

President of Bangladesh Economic Association Dr Kazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmed attended the seminar as the chief guest while Dr Hamida Hossain was in the chair.

Noted economist and chief advisor of HDRC Dr Abul Barkat spoke on the outcome of a research of the centre while Action Aid Deputy Director Khukhu Chakraborty gave the welcome address.

Country Director of Action Aid Sheb Siddiqui, leaders of political and social organizations Dr Dipu Moni, Prof Nazma Shahin, Dr Towfiq Ahmed Chowdhury, Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan, Dr Mahbuba Nasrin and Quamrunnahar Dana, among others, took part in the discussion.

The speakers said the heath issues, access to treatment of TB and safe delivery are vital for women. Budget allocation for sports and other recreational activities for women is very poor, they said. They expressed dissatisfaction over poor enrollment of female students in science education and said opportunities for women to pursue science education in secondary schools are very limited.

The speakers said the number of incidents of torture on women is on rise, and the pattern of such incidents is becoming terrible day by day.

© Copyright 2003 by The New Nation