International Women’s Day, celebrated since the early 1900’s, is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world. This day has been a key milestone through many key events that have affected women’s rights. It is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. Every year, there is a theme to the day. The theme for International Women’s Day 2010 is “Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all.”
Since 1989 Tarango is working with the women producers in Agoiljhora, Barisal and now those women are more confident and their standard of living has risen. Tarango has been celebrating Women’s Day in Agoiljhora, where there are no electricity facilities, from 2005. The main objective of celebrating this day in Agoiljhora is to empower women, raise their voices, raise awareness of injustice and recognize their rights. In this year, Tarango with the support of Lafarge Surma Cement Company Ltd has celebrate the day with the women producer of Kadambari, Agailjhara, Barisal on 7th and 8th march 2010 through a number of programs that included boat race, children’s art competition and cultural functions. Programs of the International Women’s Day were divided into different phases.
Children’s art competition and Jhalot cut competition organize
d on 7th March 2010. Last few years, Tarango organizes the children’s art competition in Agoiljhota. The objective is to provide these under-privileged children a unique opportunity to present their capabilities to the society and expression of the creativity and imagination through art, and to inspire children to visualize and shape their future. Mr. Mongol Adhikari, honorable UP member; Mr. Jia Uddin, professor and Mr. Joinal Abedin, local honorable person inaugurated the competitions. A total 110 children’s (boys and girls) took part in the art competition and they were divided into three group- group A (class 7-9), B (class 4-6) and C (class 1-3). Mr. Joy Rai from rajapur from group A, Mr. Sajal Madhu from group B and Ms. Ratna Haldar from group C placed first in Children’s Art competition. Children’s from agoiljhora were excited to participate in this competition. After completion children’s drawings were displayed.
Jhalot, a traditional craft, is a decorated item which material is various color paper. At first the paper is fold and then cut the paper in different shape. Last few decades this paper used as decoration in various cultural programs like marriage ceremony, birthday and religious functions in Bangladesh. Both man and women were involved in this activity. Now a days this decorated item is now become extinct. To revive this tradition Tarango has arranged Jhalot Cut competition for its producer group. A total 9 women producers were take part in jhalot cut competition and Ms. Kanchon Halder from Paisa placed first while Beauty from paisa and Puspo somaddar from Rajapur palced second and third.
In 2nd phase the colorful Traditional boat race, cultural program competition and cultural programs arranged in the 8th March 2010. Mr. Advocate Taluktder Md Younus, Members of Parliament of Bangladesh, Barisal-1 was present as a Chief Guest and Ms. Kohinoor Yeasmin, CEO, Tarango chaired the inaugural session. Mr. Golam Mortuza Khan, Upazila Chairman, Agoiljhora, Mr. Diponkor Bishash, UNO, Agoiljhora, Mr. Jasimuddin Sarkar, Vice- chairman, Agoiljhora, Mr. Ashok Nandi, In-charge of local police station, Mrs. Sheenagh Day, development partner, UK, Mr. Nicola Momente, Country delegate, AIDA, Spain were presented as a special guest. UP chairman, Member, Teachers, Govt. officials, NGO representatives, Honorable board members of Tarango, Journalist, Media representatives both Govt. (Btv). and non govt. (Channel I, Bangla Vision, ntv) and local people were also presented.
The session started with an welcome speech by Ms. Kohinoor Yeasmin, CEO, Tarango. She welcomed all participants and gave a small brief about Taranga and highlighted the objective & activities of the day of celebration. She also draws attention on some local major problems like electricity, roads and security and requested chief guest to take initiative to solve those problems as soon as possible. Mr. Advocate Taluktder Md Younus, Members of Parliament of Bangladesh, Barisal-1 welcomed and thanked all participants for attending the event and assures Agoiljhora people to solve their problem step by step. Special guests were also thanks Tarango to play a vital role to improve the economic condition and help women celebrate their achievements. They also give thanks to Lafarj cement for their special contribution to celebrate the day.
After irregular session, colorful spectacle women boat race, the main event of the day, started. Boat Race is a
traditional game of Bangladesh and mostly male takes part of it. Though it is 100 celebration of international women’s day but still women of Bangladesh are fighting for their rights. In Agoiljhora most of women are now engaged in income generating process but still they are struggling to establish their position in front of society. For that reason, women of Agoiljhora choose boat race, as a part of celebrating the day, to establish their aptitude. Last year Tarango organized women boat race and as a continuing of that process this year Tarango again arranged women boat race. A total 16 groups with 16 boats took part in this competition and each group consists 11 members with a team leader. Each boat were decorated with color paper and have different name (flowers) for identification. All women wear similar saris (white & red, yellow and red) and caps.
The boat race divided into two rounds. Each round 8 groups were participated. The three lead boats from each round were selected for the final round. Six boats were took part in final round and the boat teams led by Ms. Fulmala Rai (Boat name – Beli) from Griholokhhin Shomity, Ms. Sumitra Adhikari (bokul) from Shanti Shamity and Chaya Adhikari (Chapa) from Provati shomity placed the first, second and third respectively in the race. Three black and white televisions (One 17 inch, one 14 inch and one 1o inch) were given as first, second and third prizes and other prizes were distributed among the participants as well. The excitement of the event attracted the men, women and boys of Agoiljhora.
A total 16 groups with 16 boats took part in this competition and each group consists 11 members with a team leader. Each boat were decorated with color paper and have different name (flowers) for identification. All women wear similar saris (white & red, yellow and red) and caps. The boat race divided into two rounds. Each round 8 groups were participated. The three lead boats from each round were selected for the final round. Six boats were took part in final round and the boat teams led by Ms. Fulmala Rai (Boat name – Beli) from Griholokhhin Shomity, Ms. Sumitra Adhikari (bokul) from Shanti Shamity and Chaya Adhikari (Chapa) from Provati shomity placed the first, second and third respectively in the race. Three black and white televisions (One 17 inch, one 14 inch and one 1o inch) were given as first, second and third prizes and other prizes were distributed among the participants as well. The excitement of the event attracted the men, women and boys of Agoiljhora. Thousands of people, including men, women and children from all walks of life, gathered on both sides of the river to enjoy the race. They greeted the teams with thunderous applause. Band group also inspire them through their musical instruments.
A cultural competition also followed by the boat race for local people to inspire people and children to be acquainted with our culture and traditions. Children’s from tarango family, producers and also local children’s were willingly participated in this programme. A huge number of competitors performed sang, dance and act. In each section 9 performers were selected and prizes were distributed among the participants as well.
A cultural program was also organized, with several songs/group songs, band song and dance performed. Some very talented local people along with band group performed song and dance. In this village there is no electricity and people of this village have no opportunity to take pleasure and show their creativity. So the participation of local people is magnificent. The whole program that lasted for more than 4 hours was made highly enjoyable by songs, dances, lots of other entertainments. All the guests and People of Agoiljhora enjoyed the cultural program and shown their complaisant about the event.
Tarango has successfully completed the two days programme in Kadambari, Agoiljhora. Celebrating International Women’s Day in Kadambari, Agoiljhora by Tarango gave these women a chance to join together, encourage each other and stimulating & recognize themselves and celebrate their right. They give thanks to Tarango and requested them not to stop celebrating International Women’s day in Kadambari, Agoiljhora. n her concluding speech Ms. Kohinoor Yeasmin, CEO, Tarango thanks all producers, guests and local people to participate in this event. She also gave special thanks to volunteers and arrangement team to make this event successful.
Thus, International Women’s Day celebrated by the women of Agoiljhora of Barisal and requested Tarango to continue this program in every year.
Dear Fair Trade Supporter
anisation, Tarango
