Dr Yunus announces 4 commitments to ensure women’s empowerment

Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus has announced four national commitments to ensure women’s empowerment over the next five years. These include enacting a law to prevent sexual harassment, recognising and valuing unpaid household work, increasing women’s participation in politics and public life, and adopting gender-responsive budgeting.

He made the announcement on Friday, September 26, in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Dr Yunus said, “Women’s empowerment is one of Bangladesh’s top priority. From education to sports, boardrooms to laboratories, the government is undertaking initiatives to ensure women’s participation and leadership opportunities. Women contribute more than half of humanity’s achievements. In the words of our national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, ‘Of whatever is great in the world, half has been done by women, and half by men.’”

He pointed out that a recently released “Unpaid Household Production Satellite Account” survey showed that more than 85% of unpaid care and household work in Bangladesh is carried out solely by women, equivalent to nearly 16% of the national GDP.

Dr Yunus added, “Despite numerous challenges, Bangladeshi women are setting benchmarks of success everywhere—from classrooms to boardrooms, from laboratories to sports. Our women’s football team recently won a regional championship, qualified for inter-Asian competitions, and inspired millions.”

He said the four commitments were made under the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, with implementation targeted within the next five years to ensure women’s safety, dignity, and equal opportunities.

The Chief Adviser further noted, “The government is active in regional cooperation. Through initiatives such as BIMSTEC, BBIN, Asian Highway, and SASEC, we are enhancing trade and connectivity. Steps are being taken to engage with ASEAN’s functional forums, and efforts are underway to revive SAARC. Regional cooperation in South Asia for equitable and compassionate use of natural resources is also part of Bangladesh’s commitment.”

Dr Yunus stressed, “Women’s empowerment is not only a matter of social justice but also the foundation of sustainable national development. Our firm pledge is to implement these four commitments over the next five years.”