(BSS) - Speakers at a function here have called for integrated efforts of all government and non-government organizations to ensure rights of women.

They said the balanced development of the country is dependent on the women so utmost emphasis should be given on ensuring equal rights through freeing them from all sorts of repression, oppression and violence.

Government officials, development activists and other social watchdogs came up with the observation while addressing a daylong dialogue on democracy with civil society organizations at the Public Library in Natore district town on Monday.

On behalf of its "Young people at high schools strengthen women rights and inclusive governance in Bangladesh (YUKTA)" project, DASCOH Foundation, a non-government organization, hosted the dialogue in assistance with NETZ Bangladesh.

District Education Officer Muhammad Shahaduzzaman addressed the meeting as the chief guest, while Programme Officer of One Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) Muktar Hossain spoke as special guest with district unit president of Civil Society Organization Abdur Razzak in the chair.

Project Coordinator Anamul Haque Khan gave an illustration on the issue along with portraying aims, objectives and implementation strategy of the project during his keynote presentation, while Training and Advocacy Officer Makshuda Khanam moderated the discussion.

The YUKTA project being implemented in Chapainawabganj, Joypurhat, Natore and Rajshahi districts is intended to establish equality between men and women, protect and promote women`s rights together with stopping violence against women.

Ensuring women`s rights and women`s empowerment coupled with improving the quality of life of the minority communities is other objective of the project.

Terming the child marriage as the major violation of human rights Muhammad Shahaduzzaman said there is an urgent need to establish social networks and alliances involving government and non-government organisations, community people, civil society and media to stop this.

Besides, utmost emphasis should be given on strengthening legal assistance and effective enforcement of laws regarding women repression to eliminate the number of violence against women, speakers said.

The dialogue unequivocally called for social awareness and social empowerment of women to free the society from harassment, repression and oppression against women and child marriage.