Afroza Abbas appointed chief of Jatiya Mahila Sangstha

The government has appointed BNP leader Afroza Abbas as the new chairman of Jatiya Mahila Sangstha for a two-year term, according to a gazette notification issued by the Public Administration Ministry today.

Afroza is currently serving as president of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Mohila Dal, an affiliate of BNP, and is the wife of lawmaker Mirza Abbas, a BNP standing committee member and the prime minister’s political adviser.

The notification said her appointment will be honorary, with provisions allowing the government to cancel it at any time before the expiry of the term. Similarly, she may resign from the post at any time by submitting a signed letter to the government.

Established in 1976 to reflect the government’s national and international commitments to women’s development, Jatiya Mahila Sangstha was transformed into a statutory body through a separate law enacted in 1991.

The organisation runs a range of welfare activities for women, including skill development training, day care centres, and working women’s hostels.