DHAKA, March 8, 2020 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the
country’s womenfolk have been showing their efficiency in every sector
capitalising the opportunities of her government extended to them.
“We have been creating scopes for the women in every sector as they
can move ahead. Utilizing these opportunities, the women are demonstrating their
efficiency wherever they go,” she said.
The prime minister was addressing the inaugural function of the
International Women’s Day at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium here.
She said: “The women of the country have now proved that they can.”
Mentioning that economic emancipation is of essence for women, she called
upon the country’s womenfolk to move ahead with self-confidence and dignity
to consolidate their position in the society.
In this context, the premier said, “A woman can consolidate her position in
the society as well as in the family and none will dare to neglect her if she
earns money through work.”
She, however, reminded the women that, “You will have to achieve the power
utilising your own capacity as none will do so for you.”
Turning to coronavirus, the prime minister said currently many countries
have been suffering from economic losses due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Noting that coronavirus has appeared as a global concern, she said “We are
monitoring the matter round the clock and taking appropriate measures to
address any kind of problem in this regard.”
Calling upon all to create awareness about the coronavirus, she said “We
have enough capability to face the problem. So, there is no need to get
afraid of it.”
The prime minister simultaneously asked all to follow the directives of
health ministry regarding COVID-19.
“Don’t get panicked as the government has enough preparation to face the lethal virus,” She added.
Earlier, the premier handed over “Joyeeta Sammanana” to five women for
their outstanding contributions to their respective fields.
They are: Anwara Begum, Suporna Dey Simpu, late Momtaj Begum, Aronika
Meherin Ritu as well as founder and coordinator of CRP Valerie Ann Taylor.
The awardees received a crest, certificate and cheque of Taka 50,000 each.
The prime minister also joined a photo session with the award recipients.
She later witnessed a cultural function.
At the function, a documentary on the government’s development activities
for the women was screened.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs arranged the function with its
State Minister Fazilatun Nessa Indira in the chair.
Country Representative, UN (United Nations) Women, Bangladesh Shoko
Ishikawa was present in the function as the special guest, while Women and
Children Affairs Secretary Kazi Rowshan Akhter delivered the welcome address.
Elaborating the government’s measures to address all sorts of violence
against women particularly rape, Sheikh Hasina said, “The men should step
forward and raise their voices alongside creating awareness against rape. The
entire society should act against the menace accordingly.”
In this context, she said that the government has enacted necessary laws
with a view to protect the women and children from all types of violence,
keeping the provision of stringent punishment.
“Women sometimes face different kinds of repression. We are taking
punitive measures against the offenders. Despite, women are suffering from
violence to some extent,” she added.
Expressing her resentment against the rape, she said rapists are the worst
than the beasts.
In this context, the premier recalled with heavy heart the painful
memories of thousands of women inhumanly violated by the then Pakistani
occupation forces and their collaborators during the War of Liberation in
1971.
“The women who lost their chastity in the war of liberation in 1971 were
later awarded the title of Birangana by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to consolidate their position in the society,” she
said.
Bangabandhu arranged the marriage of the women victims of the liberation
war whose families were unwilling to take them back, she said.
Bangamata was physically present at those marriage ceremonies, she said.
Putting emphasis on creating opportunities for females, the prime minister
said her government has been tirelessly working to create scopes for the
women which is essential for the overall development of the society.
She said Bangabandhu’s government had first created the scope of
appointing women in judiciary.
The Bangabandhu government had also created the scope of appointing women
in various law enforcement agencies, saying that seven women were recruited
in police force by Bangabandhu.
Following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation, she said that her
government has initiated the process of appointing women in the three
services and the judiciary.
Referring to the success of womenfolk in various sectors such as politics,
art-culture, sports, education and in the UN peacekeeping missions, she said
that the women are now achieving success in sports in regional and
international arena.
In this context, she said, “A woman has already conquered the Mount
Everest”.
The prime minister also said the demand of women officials has increased
in the UN peacekeeping mission in comparison to men due to their efficiency.
Referring to the speech of the Opposition Leader at parliament regarding
women empowerment, she said that Prime Minister, Speaker, and Deputy Leader
of the House are women which is the best example of women empowerment in
Bangladesh.
Putting emphasis on women education, the premier said, “The more the women
will be educated, the more the society will advance. The society can’t move
by making half of the population inactive.”
She said women are now moving ahead men in education.
Pointing out that her government has taken measures to integrate the
womenfolk in the mainstream of development, Sheikh Hasina said the country
will advance further if males and females work together.
The prime minister said the aim of her government is to create scope for
women by protecting their rights.
“Our goal is to ensure their (women) movement in every sphere of the life
and we progressed much in this regard … Bangladesh’s girls demonstrated
their success in many fields which many developed countries couldn’t,” she
said.
Regarding maternity leave, she said, “We’ve introduced four-month
maternity leave after assuming office first time and later increased the
leave from 4 months to 6 months after coming to the power second time”.
Sheikh Hasina said once there was no daycare centre in Bangladesh
Secretariat and it was her government which first set up a daycare centre for
the children at the secretariat.
At the outset of the speech, the prime minister paid rich tributes to
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, saying that he
(Bangabandhu) ensured equal opportunity for women in the constitution through
articles 27 and 28 (2) and kept a provision of reserved seats for the women
to strengthen their positions in the society.
Sheikh Hasina also remembered Begum Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, who worked
for the country along with Bangabandhu all the time giving him inspiration,
courage and suggestions.
The premier said Bangabandhu rehabilitated mothers and sisters who were
tortured by the Pakistani occupation forces and their local cohorts.
In this connection, she recalled with gratitude the name of Begum Rokeya
who had played the pioneering role in women’s advancement.
The premier also said the nation is going to celebrate the “Mujib Year”
marking the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation from March 17 next
with an aim to transforming Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous
country envisioned by Bangabandhu.