PM pledges to do more for gender equality

Expressing her government's strong political will to move forward with gender equality and women's empowerment, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangladesh was pledge-bound to continue to work for socioeconomic and political empowerment of women.

"Bangladesh would create more opportunities for women and ensure their access to politics, business and government," she said at a high-level meeting of global leaders on gender equality at the UN headquarters.

The PM urged the world leaders to take a vow to achieve gender parity in all aspects and make the world a better place for women and girls.

The meeting on "Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment: A Commitment to Action" was jointly organised by UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), and China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the session. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and 17 heads of state and government, including the presidents of Mexico and Kenya and the prime minister of Denmark, took part in the discussion.

Hasina said Bangladesh was committed to carrying on its efforts to end all forms of discrimination and violence against women. "We shall create a safer environment for our women and girls to thrive as agents of change."

She said the government had taken initiatives to eliminate child marriage by 2041. "We shall continue to give attention to maternal health and nutrition, and work for increasing the rate of skilled birth attendance."

The PM said Bangladesh attaches the highest importance to women's participation in all walks of life and livelihoods.

She also spelled out some successful programmes of her government for the welfare of the womenfolk.

These programmes, she said, included free education for girls up to 12th grade, stipends for girl students, free pre and post-natal healthcare, easy credit facilities, vocational and Information and Communication Technology training.

On Sustainable Development Agenda adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Hasina said it would offer added impetus for bringing about positive changes in the lives of the women and girls. "We should seize this opportunity."