South Asia Center for Media in Development(SACMID) and Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) have jointly organized“Men for Women” march,an innovative program as part of celebrating the International Women’s Day on 8th March at Dhaka level. At regional level ,BNNRC has mobilized 17 community radio stations of the country to organize this event.Free press unlimited (FPU) has provided technical and financial support in the program.
Usually,the day was observed by demonstrating Women March for Women.But with this component “Men for Women” march, the event has taken a different shape since the year 2017.The objective of the march was to sensitize the wider community on importance to show their solidarity towards women for acknowledging their contribution in family and society. The focus was to sensitize the male groups on the importance of gender equality and women empowerment to sensitize, claim and achieve their basic human rights.
At central level, BNNRC and SACMID organized events like human chain, rally, project photo gallery etc.At morning 10 am, the first M4W march was held in University of Information Technology and Sciences (UITS), the first technology based private university in the country. Around 120 male Faculty members, Students and university staffs participated this event.
The second march was held in front of National Museum, Shahbag Square, Dhaka in the afternoon. All staffs of SACMID and BNNRC in collaboration with a local organization named Sunmark Media Communication stood up and hold a human chain followed by a rally. This program was participated by various occupational groups like students, teachers, NGO workers, activists, rickshaw-pullers, auto-drivers, small traders, street people etc.
Besides organizing the M4W March at community radio stations level, all radio stations have broadcast special programs like radio magazines, talk-shows, community dialogues and drama on the eve of this event.
For wider mobilization and information dissemination, 2000 leaflets were distributed among all stakeholders both at the CR Stations and central level.
To supplement to the spirit and to spread the idea of the event to wider community, the organizers had opened an event page on Social Media. A photo gallery has been developed to mark and harmonize the event in line with the national history, context and culture of Bangladesh.