NEW YORK, Sept 28, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a high-
level discussion here has put emphasis on three actions in a bid to advance the
women empowerment as a tool for development.
The three actions are: work for overcoming gender stereotypes regarding
women’s ability; enhance women’s productivity by addressing challenges
specific to women, including violence against women; and create equal
opportunities for women in all sectors of life and livelihoods with gender
responsive policy intervention.
The prime minister came with the suggestion while delivering her
statement at the discussion on ‘Economic Growth through Women Empowerment’ at
the Conference Room-3 of the United Nations Headquarters here on Thursday
afternoon local time.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was present at the event hosted by
President of Lithuania and also Chair of the Council of Women Leaders Dalia
Grybauskaite.
“We’ve learned from our experience that economy gains significantly
from empowerment of women. Greater gender equality reflects better education
and health system, higher per capita income, faster economic growth, and
greater competitiveness,” the prime minister said.
Mentioning that a large number of them are unemployed, she said about 50
percent women aged 15 and above are employed globally, compared to about 75
percent men. Moreover, she said, women earn 10-30 percent less than men for
the same work.
The prime minister said a study of McKinsey Global Institute suggests
that closing gender gaps in labour market would add 12-25 percent to global
GDP by 2025.
She said realisation of ‘leaving no one behind’ is contingent upon gender
equality and women’s economic empowerment. “Despite our commitments and
efforts, gender gaps around the world remain large, pervasive and persistent.
About women empowerment in Bangladesh, she said, the government has given
importance to various programmes and policies specially targeted for women
that have not only put impacts on women’s economic empowerment but also
reinforced their status in the society.
Sheikh Hasina said in Bangladesh, women’s empowerment has been identified
as the most significant determinant of the outstanding economic progress of
the country. “Our aim is to focus on decreasing the gender gap in targeted
sectors like education, employment, business and policy making,” she added.
The prime minister said there are 72 women members in the current
Parliament of Bangladesh, while the Speaker, the leader and the deputy leader
of the House and the leader of the opposition all are women.
Citing the World Economic Forum’s 2018 report, she said Bangladesh is
Asia’s second most gender equal country.
Sheikh Hasina said women are receiving education free of cost in public
institutions up to class twelve and they are also provided with easy access
to ‘microsavings’.
“Currently, there are 20 million women employed in the agriculture,
service and industrial sector. Women are holding high positions in judiciary
and administration. Bangladeshi women are making history in the United
Nations peacekeeping operations,” she added.