Bangladesh women proved they can, says PM

Mentioning that Bangladesh's women have proved that they can achieve any success like their male counterpart, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said.

The country will move faster towards prosperity if men and women can work together, she said while addressing the inaugural function of the International Women's Day at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).

"The prosperity of a country is a must if men and women can work there together. Our aim is to make the country prosperous and poverty-free one," she said.

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs arranged the function with State Minister Meher Afroz Chumki in the chair.

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Mia Seppo was present at the function as a special guest. Women and Children Affairs Secretary Nasima Begum delivered the welcome address.

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Sheikh Hasina said if women are left behind in a society that cannot stand up with dignity.

"To make that happen, we're working to give them proper scope in all spheres of life for flourishing their merits and talents," she said.

The prime minister said the women of the country have already proved themselves which cannot be done by women in many developed and civilised countries of the world. "Bangladesh women have showed they can," she added.

She urged the country's women folk to take their every step with confidence and dignity. "You must perform your responsibility towards your respective families, too," she said.

Hasina said her government took every step to provide education for each children of the country. "They'll grow up with all human qualities, move in the world arena with dignity, compete with others coping with the pace of the world."

Laying emphasis on greater participation of women in politics for women empowerment, the prime minister said the trend of participation of women in politics has increased to a great extent due to initiatives of the present government.

Currently, the prime minister and the Leader of the House, the opposition leader, the Deputy Leader of the House and a Whip in Bangladesh are women.

She said 30 percent seats in local government bodies like union and upazila parishads, municipalities and city corporations have been kept reserved for women.

Hasina also stressed the need for developing women leadership from the grassroots level.

Referring to formation of some development committees in the union and upazila parishads with women being the chairpersons, Hasina said women are playing an important role in decision making while they are working to utilise the opportunities there.

Recalling to the role of the Father of the Nation in upholding the dignity of women, Hasina said Bangabandhu ensured their equal rights in all spheres of life.

While talking about Bangabandhu's various steps for the rehabilitation of those mothers and sisters who were tortured by Pakistani occupation forces and their local cohorts, she said many parents did not accept their daughters violated during the War of Liberation.

"Bangabandhu had arranged the marriage of those girls and told my mother to write his name (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) as the father and 32 Dhanmondi as the address of those girls who didn't want to disclose their identities," she said.

Hasina said the success of women is everywhere in Bangladesh and they are now at an equal level along with their male counterparts in education, games and sports and creative works.

She mentioned that the country's women are now in very high position of all sectors like the administration, judiciary, education, administration, as well as in the armed forces and in law-enforcement agencies.

The prime minister also elaborated the various steps taken by her government for the development and welfare of women.

A documentary on women development in Bangladesh was also screened at the function.

Earlier, the prime minister distributed 'Joyeeta' awards among the winners for their achievements in life.

Later, the prime minister witnessed a cultural function performed by the artistes of Shilpakala Academy.