Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership in women empowerment was highly praised at a meeting held recently at the House of Lords of the British Parliament.
Eminent British parliamentarians, British-Bangladeshi academics and politicians were discussing the development that occurred in Bangladesh in the last decade, reports BSS.
“Bangladesh has become a beacon to other countries in many fronts including in the area of women empowerment,” Jim Fitzpatrick, a senior Labour Party MP, said, according to an official release.
Terming the recent development in Bangladesh in several sectors “Golden Development”, he said rest of the world could learn many things from Bangladesh.
Other participants also voiced the same as the veteran British politician, observing that Bangladesh has already become a role model for many countries, particularly in areas of rapid and constant economic growth, women empowerment, community healthcare, and infrastructure development.
Study Circle, a UK-based research organization, arranged the discussion, which was presided by its President Syed Mozammmel Ali.
The observation matched with the latest Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) that placed Bangladesh at the top of South Asian courtiers and at the 5th position in the global index in women empowerment.
Member of the House of Lords, Manzila Pola Uddin and Dawn Petula Butler, Bangladesh High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem, Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, Councillor Dilwar Ali, and former councillor Murad Qureshi participated in the discussion.
UK Awami League President Sultan Mahmud Sharif attended the program, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, Saida Muna Tasneem credited the development to the incumbent government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Bangladesh is now termed a global wonder by global think-tanks, which has been possible due to the courageous and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the high commissioner said.
She said, citing reports of WEF, World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) HSBC Global Research, Standard & Poor’s and Goldman Sachs, that all of these credible and leading global institutions and organizations lauded Bangladesh economic and social development with firm projection that the country would make significant progress in the days ahead.
“Bangladesh is now ranked besides Iceland, Norway and Nicaragua in the areas of steady economic development and per capita income. Most notably Pakistan prime minister acknowledged that Bangladesh has gone far towards economic development and surpassed Pakistan many years ago,” she said.
Regarding bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom, she said the UK is the 3rd largest destination for Bangladesh export and the 5th largest source of remittance.
More than half a million British-Bangladeshi play a significant role in promoting trade and investment between the two countries while the £4 billion curry industry created over 100,000 jobs, contributing significantly to the British economy.
The high commissioner thanked the organizer of the discussion meeting for their sincere efforts of promoting democratic values, secularism and human rights.
She hoped that such a discussion on Bangladesh’s government effort for development would continue to help the country to attain its goal of a prosperous nation.
Study Circle researcher Shajia Sultana Snigdha moderated the program, with its Coordinator Jamal Khan giving the vote of thanks.
A good number of community leaders, journalists, and development activists were also present at the discussion.