GAZIPUR. Aug 7: Discussants al a national conference here today strongly protested the nature of current health and family planning progra mines, reports UNB.

They observed that these programmes focus only on married women as clients of contraceptives and women are burdened with the sole responsibility of contraception.

On the second day of the three day conference on women issues at the auditorium of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) at Joydevpur the plenary sea sion was chaired by Suralya Haque of Phulkl a voluntary organisation

Organised by Nartpidisha. a Dhaka based women s or ganiaatfon. the conference Is

being attended by over 300 representatives of different NGOs all over the country.

The participants called for enacting Uniform Personal Law based on the principles of equality and justice for men and women.

On the health care of women, they said the womenfolk need proper healthcare throughout their life, not only during their reproductive period.

The speakers identified the lack of woman's control over her own life and body, emerging out of her subordinate position in the society, as one of the major problems.

Shireen Huq of Naripaksha raised the issue of capital punishment which sparked a debate between its supporters and opponents.

Those opposing the capital punishment termed It as a "violation of human rights". Others felt that capital punishment would be Just punishment for a crime against humanity.