Women: The Backbone of Agriculture Despite No Land or Loans
Women Farmers in Barishal Demand Rights and Present “Tree of Demands”
To mark International Women’s Day 2026, a special program titled “Women Farmers’ Convention and Presentation of the Tree of Demands” was held at 10:00 AM today in Nayaani village, Char Kaua Union, Barishal Sadar. The event was jointly organized by Prantojon and the Food Security Network (KHANI) Bangladesh, with 150 participants, including women farmers, community leaders, and journalists.
The Reality of Struggle and Deprivation
During the event, women farmers shared stories of their daily labor, struggles, and long-standing discrimination. Ms. Parul Begum, a local farmer, highlighted that because their contributions are not officially recognized, they are deprived of:
1. Farmer ID cards and government agricultural loans.
2. Official agricultural inputs and specialized training.
3. Market access and participation in local agricultural committees.
She noted that despite their roles in crop production, livestock rearing, seed preservation, and food processing—often performing “double labor” at home and in the field—their work is socially dismissed as mere “assistance” rather than professional farming.
A Call for Justice and Policy Change
Aligning with the 2026 National Theme (“Today’s Steps, Tomorrow’s Justice; Protect the Rights of Women and Girls”) and the International Theme (“Give to Gain”), Aktarul Kabir, a member of the Barishal Environment and Public Protection Forum, stated that food security in Bangladesh cannot be sustainable without ensuring land ownership and formal recognition for women farmers.
Local representatives expressed solidarity, emphasizing that a “Right to Food Act” is now a necessity to make the country’s food system fair and inclusive. The farmers argued that such a law would ensure they receive a fair position in production, markets, and policy planning.
The “Tree of Demands”
The highlight of the event was the presentation of a symbolic “Tree of Demands.” In a powerful collective gesture, the women farmers signed a joint document using their thumbprints, calling for the immediate recognition of their rights in agriculture.