ZCZC
BSS-27
SPEAKER-DAY-POPULATION
Speaker for family planning to empower women
DHAKA, July 11, 2018 (BSS) – Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin
Sharmin Chaudhury today stressed the need for family planning to ensure women
empowerment in the country.
“Family planning is a pre-requisite for sustainable development and it
helps to ensure empowerment of woman in any country…. Small family will
play a vital role in building a happy and prosperous nation,” she said.
She was speaking at a discussion organised by the health ministry to mark
the World Population Day-2018 at Osmani Memorial Hall in the city. This year
the theme of the Day is ‘Family Planning is a Human Right’.
Dr Chaudhury called upon all concerned to create awareness about
reproductive health, family planning, maternal and child healthcare services
at the grassroots level.
Speaking on the occasion, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare
Zahid Maleque said, “Family planning is a pre-condition to ensure progress in
any country. Bangladesh needs to implement the family planning programme
successfully to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Secretary of Health Education and Family Planning GM Saleh Uddin division
presided over the programme while, Director General of Directorate General of
Health Service (DGHS) Prof Dr Abul Kalam Azad, Family Planning DG Dr Kazi
Mustafa Sarwar, UNFPA country Representative Dr Asa Torkelsson, among others,
addressed the programme.
The speakers urged private organisations, media, individuals and
institutions to come forward in creating and disseminating family planning
information alongside the government.
Earlier, Dr Chaudhury inaugurated the main programme of the Day by
releasing pigeons and balloons. Later, she distributed awards and crests
among reporters and other service providing organisations.
The World Population Day is observed on July 11 every year to create
awareness about population growth and related issues.
BSS/ASG/DH/ARS/1814 hrs