Equal participation of men, women needed for country's overall development

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today stressed the necessity of womenfolk's more engagement to the development process, saying equal participation of both men and women is needed for the country's overall development.

"Today, if we have to progress economically further, women and men can build the country equally with their labor because half of the society is women," the premier came up with the remarks while addressing a function marking the celebration of International Women's Day.

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs organised the function in the city's Osmani Memorial auditorium where the Premier, as the chief guest, also conferred "Best Joyeeta Award-2023" at the national level to five women as recognition to attaining success in different fields by overcoming difficulties and challenges.

Mentioning the women as the half part of the society, Sheikh Hasina said if the half of the society does not work then that society cannot stand and can't be advanced further.

"We can move forward only if men and women work equally. Today, we are moving forward because we have ensured (women's participation) this," she added.

The Prime Minister said it is her optimism in this international women's day that "Our women will never be left behind".

Referring to ensuring the constitutional rights of women given by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of ruling party Bangladesh Awami League, said that her party is the only political party in the country which has mentioned the equal rights of men and women in its constitution and manifesto.

"Not, just for say, but Awami League has shown it when it came to power," she added.

The Premier said her government has created opportunities, but the womenfolk should also come forward. "Don't stay at home. Because women do most of the work in society."

Mentioning a statistic which shows participation of women is 43 percent in terms of labor, she noted that they (women) do more extra work even after returning home from office which is not being calculated.

This year, the best Joyeeta awardees are-Anar Koli (economics), Kallyani Minji (education and employment), Komoli Robi Dash (successful mother), Jahanara Begum (repression prevention) and Pakhi Dutta Hijra (social development).