Government committed to ensuring women's effective participation in all spheres: Tarique Rahman

In a statement issued on the occasion of International Women's Day, Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman said that a state's development becomes sustainable only when women's rights, education, health, security and participation are ensured. He stated that the current government is committed to ensuring the active and effective participation of women in all spheres including education, economy, health and politics.

In his statement marking International Women's Day, he extended greetings and congratulations to all women around the world. He said, "A state's development becomes sustainable only when women's rights, education, health, security and participation are ensured. In this context, I believe this year's International Women's Day theme 'Today's step, tomorrow's justice, let the rights of women and girls be protected' is highly significant."

Stating that development is not possible keeping women outside the mainstream of state, government and politics, the Prime Minister said, "Especially, without ensuring women's economic empowerment, the benefits of overall development cannot be achieved both at home and outside. More than half of Bangladesh's population are women. Martyr President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of independence, and Mother of Democracy Begum Khaleda Zia played groundbreaking roles in the political and economic empowerment of women. During Shaheed Zia's regime, the 'Women Affairs Department' was established in the President's Secretariat in 1976. The 'Ministry of Women Affairs' was formed in 1978, which was later transformed into the 'Ministry of Women and Children Affairs' in 1994 during Begum Khaleda Zia's regime."

Referring to Begum Khaleda Zia introducing free education for girls up to class twelve for the socio-economic empowerment of women, Tarique Rahman said, "This was a revolutionary decision for women's empowerment in Bangladesh. Continuing that legacy, the current government has introduced the 'Family Card' for women's economic empowerment. The government is committed to ensuring the active and effective participation of women at all levels including education, economy, health and politics."

In the statement, the BNP Chairperson said, "Our goal, as part of implementing election pledges, is to introduce free education up to post-graduate level, increase women's participation in higher education, provide free school uniforms for girls, expand digital learning facilities and modern education systems. The government is prioritising women's security measures. The government has taken a strict stance against cyberbullying and online harassment of women."

Expressing optimism about building a Bangladesh where men and women will enjoy equal rights, the Prime Minister said, "They will work in the family, state and society with respect, dignity and security. Let equality be our pledge in our existing society, dignity be the reality, and empowerment be the foundation of development. I wish success to all programmes undertaken on the occasion of 'International Women's Day'."