Celebration of International Human Rights Day, 2025
Ethnic Community Development Organization (ECDO), in collaboration with its Cha Sramik Narimancha, a Tea Worker Women’s Platform, jointly observed International Human Rights Day, 2025 at Doldoli Tea Estate in Sylhet. The program was held with the active participation of more than two hundred tea workers, reflecting strong community engagement and collective commitment to human rights advocacy.
In alignment with this year’s global theme, “Human Rights: Our Everyday Essential,” the day’s activities began with a vibrant rally inside Doldoli tea Estate. Tea workers, both women and men, marched together carrying placards and banners that highlighted their fundamental rights and long-standing demands. The rally created a visible and powerful expression of unity, emphasizing that human rights are not abstract ideals but daily necessities for marginalized communities like tea workers.
Following the rally, a discussion session was organized where speakers and participants shared their perspectives on the current human rights situation of tea workers. The discussion strongly emphasized several critical issues, including the need for fair and living wages, six months maternity leave for women tea workers, fully functional health centres within tea estates, and the establishment of government primary schools in every tea estate to ensure access to quality primary education for workers’ children.
Special attention was given to the issue of sanitation and menstrual hygiene, with speakers stressing the urgent need for safe and adequate toilet facilities. These facilities are essential not only for health reasons but also to ensure dignity, safety, privacy as well as decent work place for women living in the tea-estates.
The event featured important speeches from Lakshmikanta Singh, Executive Director of ECDO and Sumi Nayek, President of the Cha Sramik Nari Moncha. In their addresses, the speakers highlighted that tea workers continue to face systemic discrimination and neglect, despite their significant contribution to the national economy. They collectively reinforced the message that tea workers are entitled to equal rights, basic services, and social protection, just like any other citizens.The presence and voices of women leaders from the Tea Worker Women’s Platform further strengthened the call for gender-sensitive policies and women’s leadership in labor rights movements.
The observance of International Human Rights Day 2025 at Doldoli Tea estate concluded with a renewed commitment from ECDO and the Tea Worker Women’s Platform to continue advocating for human dignity, equality, and justice. The event served as a reminder that ensuring human rights in everyday life is essential for building inclusive and equitable communities.
