March 28, 2024, 8:25 pm


FT Online

Published:
2019-12-10 02:12:00 BdST

Stay alert against women repression: PM


Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged all to remain alert against all forms of repression of women, saying that enacting laws is not enough to end this menace.
 
"We’ve enacted laws [but] only enacting laws are not enough. All – men and women – have to be aware so that no-one becomes victim of such torture," she told a programme at Osmani Memorial Auditorium marking the 139th birth and 87th death anniversary of Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain.
 
Sheikh Hasina said special attention is needed to ensure the protection of women in all spheres of life.
 
The Ministry of Children and Women Affairs organised the event. State Minister for Children and Women Affairs Begum Fazilatun Nesa Indira and Secretary Kamrun Nahar also spoke at the programme.
 
Earlier, the Prime Minister distributed Begum Rokeya Padak 2019 among winners. This year, Begum Selina Khalek, Professor Shamsun Nahar, Papri Basu, Begum Akhtar Jahan, and Dr Nurunnahar Faizunnesa (posthumously) received the Padak.
 
Begum Selina Khalek spoke at the programme on behalf of the Padak recipients.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh is marching ahead in terms of women development. She said an evolution has taken place in the country through the awakening of self-confidence among the womenfolk alongside changing social attitude thanks to steps taken by the government.

"Bangladesh has also set an example in the world in terms of women development like it has become a role model in economic advancement," she said.

Hasina said the government is working to further develop the country taking men and women together to materialise dreams of the pioneer of women emancipation, Begum Rokeya.

Emphasising the need for paying special attention to keep women and children protected, the Prime Minister said her government has enacted many laws as well as framed policies, rules and regulations and has been working to implement these.

Besides, rules on child marriage have been formulated to protect girls, she said. Hasina expressed satisfaction that social awareness has been created against child marriage because of her government’s steps and as a result rate of child marriage declined significantly.

She mentioned that inflicting torture on women and girls is a mental disease which has spread across the world.

Referring to the dreams of Begum Rokeya, she said, the great women wanted to see women stand on their own feet by attaining proper education.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has now reached such a position where women have stepped to a dignified position and they are now working in higher capacities in the administration, judiciary and armed forces.

"Besides, Leader of the House, the Speaker and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament are all females in Bangladesh, which is an example in the world," she added.

Hasina said it was the Awami League-led government that for the first time has given posting of female officers as Secretary, Judge, DC, SP and OC.

Alongside these, she said, special training opportunities have been created for women to make them economically empowered.

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