Former adviser to the caretaker government Dr Akbar Ali Khan called for ensuring people's participation in the governance procedure to establish 'direct democracy' in die country.

"Proper development of the country is not possible by giving the power of attorney to the government. We should take part in every state institutions like school and hospital/ Khan said.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled 'Role of media in the development of women and children' organised by nongovernmental organisation Children and Women Vision Foundation at the National Press Club in the capital yesterday.

"Giving all the responsibilities upon the government is not enough. We have to come forward and work unitedly as it is not possible for the government to solve all the problems alone."

Despite many developments in matters concerning women and children, women in the country are still deprived of their due rights, he said.

Child marriage and inadequate scope for the women to work independently are the main obstacles in the way of women's development, he said adding in this regard the media can play a significant role as they have been doing for decades.

Describing the media as the vanguard of democracy, he said, "As the rays of sun destroy germs, independent media can resist misdeeds, corruption and crime in the society."

He hoped that the media will play their due role in the struggles ahead as it did at crucial junctures including the liberation movement.

Former chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Margub Morshed said the women in the country have remained deprived for centuries as due attention was never paid to them.

"We cannot ensure the rights of women until we eradicate poverty and ensure education for all in the country," he said.

Founder and Secretary General of Children and Women Vision Foundation Gulshan-E-Yasmin, Chairman Ali Imam, Chief Adviser of ATN Bangla Saiful Bari, first women Brigadier General of the country Suraiya Rahman, eminent litterateur Chemon Ara and physician Ferdous Ara J Janan also spoke.