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BSS-34
WOMEN-EMPOWERMENT-BELAL
Women empowerment brings major social change: Ambassador Belal
DHAKA, Feb 07, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal has described the women empowerment as a major social change in Bangladesh making the country’s womenfolk as key workforces engaging them in productive activities.
“Because of the incumbent government’s time befitting steps, the womenfolk in Bangladesh is now engaging themselves in different income generating activities getting over their hurdles in doing so,” he told a high-level seminar at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague on Tuesday.
In cooperation with Canada and Switzerland Embassies, ICC hosted the seminar marking the launching of International Gender Champions (IGC) Network’s “Den Haag Hub” with a view to putting into action the commitment of decision-makers to break down gender barriers and prioritising gender equity at all strata of workplace.
The event opened with remarks by ICC President Eboe-Osuji, ICC Registrar Lewis, and Sabine Nolke, ambassador of Canada to The Netherlands, according to a press release received here today.
It featured a panel discussion with ICC Prosecutor Bensouda, Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh to The Netherlands, Caitlin Kraft-Buchman, Executive Director of Women@ The Table and co-founder of International Gender Champions, as well as Hans de Boer, Chairman of the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW).
The panel was moderated by Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn, ambassador of Switzerland to The Netherlands.
Speaking on the occasion, Belal said Bangladesh has attained the 48th position in women empowerment holding its top most position among South Asian neighboring countries for the fourth time in a row in accordance with a latest report titled “Global Gender Gap Report 2018” of World Economic Forum.
Bangladesh stayed ahead of different developed countries including the USA, Italy, Austria, Croatia, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic and Singapore, he added.
The ambassador said Bangladesh secured the 5th position in the global index on the Political Empowerment sub-index this year by gaining recording progress on closing its political gender gap.
Mentioning the huge contribution of working women in readymade garments industry in Bangladesh, Belal said the wage of Bangladeshi workers have been increased by 262 per cent in the last nine years.
BSS/pr/MKD/KU/1858 HRS