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Women Forging Ahead

by Fayza Haq
A 7 OMEN For Women" is a W research and study group that is a pioneer non governmental, non profit, voluntary women s organisation Involved In research and pubhr education programmes on gender issues with the alm of enhancing the status of women in Bangladesh
It was established in 1973 by a group of committed women professionals, representing a variety of academic disciplines who strongly feel the need for establishing a sound information base This is to identify the Issues relating to the disadvantaged status of women tn Bangladesh and for creating public awareness with a view to improving the existing situation. Since then, women for women has been engaged tn research. Informa tion dissemination, public mo ttvatlon and awareness programmes aimed at achieving Its goals and objectives
The main objective of the group Is to promote organise, develop and assist research and study on the nerds. Issues and problems affecting all spheres of fives of Bangladeshi women In general and to focus on the specific Issues and con •train* which limit or obstruct their integration into the total national development pro-cess.ln particular
The main objective* are
— To populariser research on gender ls*ue» and to pro mote such effort* by organising workshops and by Imparting neccasary training to groups of young researchers and »lu dents: *
— To collect, analyse and disseminate Information and to exchange Idea* on laaues relat Ing to women and develop inent through conducting re search and publishing reports, organising discussion sesskrns seminars, workshops, convcn tions. etc. producing video films and regularly publishing a newsletter In Bangla. the national language, lor reaching a wider audience;
— To create awareness among Bangladeshi people, particularly among develop ment planners, policy formula-tore and public functionaries about the need for enhancing the status of women and to mould public opinion, through information dissemination and motivation programmes, tn favour of acttons/campalgns against oppression and exploitation of women
— To extend co-operation to the government as well as other national and interna tlonal agencies Involved tn the area of women and develop ment and to maintain links and collaborate wuh similar women's groups at home and abroad
— To encourage formation of similar local groups of women In other locations of Bangladesh.
Structure
At present, the group consists of thirty-four members (Including full associate and affiliate) who voluntarily offer their Ume. expertise and efforts to achieve the objectives set forth by the group.The implementation of the group* policies and programmes aa well as the general admtnlstra Uve affair* are vested In an executive committee of six members who are elected by the general body for a term of
Suice the activities o( the group are multi-disciplinary and diweree in nature. It func-tions through a number of sub committees, each established with specific responsibilities, maintaining close and conUnu oua link with the executive committee The executive committee, as well aa the subcommittees. are accountable to the general body of members
Membership requirements
Membership of the group Is open to those women who have high academic back Eound (a maaters degree at ut) and who have demon
•trated an active Interest in women's Issues through research on women and/or asao elation with development pro gramme* designed to enhance the position of women. Full membership Is open to Bangladeshi women only But. the group also offer* affiliate or aaaociatc membership to ellgl bld women, local or non local, who are interested to have such membership for the purpose of conducting any parti cular research or development project on women for a spe clftc period of time.
Tne prime capital of the group consists principally of the time, expertise and efforts of Us members who voluntarily
contribute these to achieve Its goals and objectives
The financial resources of the group comprise mainly of the subscriptions paid by its members, donation* and con tributions grants from national and international funding agencies, funds received fro specific project* and sale pro reeds of its publications.
Research ts conducted by members, writhin the groups) overall policy frame work, on selected issues of pressing concern to the women of Bangladesh and dissemination of the findings through publi cation of reports:
Publication of a quarterly newsletter In Bangla entitled Eahon for sharing Information and new* on women s Issues with a wider audience:
Organising seminar*, dis cussion sessions, workshops and similar programmes on women and development;
Conducting short course and discussion sessions for students on women and devel opmrnl In the Institutions of higher learning In the country specially targeting the untwr atty students;
Holding training course on Research Methodology and Womens Issues designed by the group for selected groups of young researchers and de vefopment workers
Organising an annual national convention on speclfic womcn issues for deletes of concerned national and international agencies, policy plan nere, researchers and academicians;
Correspondence and ex change of Idea* and materials svith other women s groups at home and abroad:
Among the 25 books that the group has published so far are Women for Women: Bangladesh " written by a board of writers. "Disadvantaged Children in Bangladesh: Some Reflection" by Psrveen Ahrned Mahmuda Islam and Rouahan Jahan,"Women In Bangladesh: Some Socio Economic Issues" by Jahanara Huq. Hamida Begum. Khaleda Salahuddtn and S Rowshan Qadir. "Legal Right* of Muslim Women in Marriage and Divorce". "Women. Development and Technoloy' by Jahanara Huq and Mahmuda Islam and "Women , Health and Culture" by Mahmuda Islam.