Women should have the opportunity to secure 100 parliamentary seats through direct elections instead of the existing reserved-seat system, Speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram has said.
He made the remarks while addressing the centenary celebration of Barisal Government Girls’ High School as the chief guest on Friday afternoon.
“Genuine political empowerment of women requires giving them the opportunity to contest direct elections. There should be provisions for women to be elected to 100 parliamentary seats through direct voting. Women are in no way behind,” Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said.
Highlighting the contribution of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia to female education, the speaker said she had introduced free education for girls up to the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) level.
He also said he would discuss with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman the possibility of extending free education for girls up to the bachelor's degree level.
Highlighting the school's historical significance, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said Barisal Government Girls’ High School had served as the first secretariat of the Liberation War and played an important role in the country's struggle for independence.
“History will remember the institution's contribution to the Liberation War,” he said.
Addressing the school's former and current students, he said: “The pull of one's roots is irresistible. Many distinguished students have graduated from this institution. The school has given you so much, and now it is your turn to give something back.”
He urged former students to support those who were unable to continue their education due to financial constraints.
Recalling his school days, the speaker said childhood memories of school life were unforgettable. He said he had studied at Barisal Zilla School and recalled that there were no gatherings in front of the girls' school at the time, adding that the social environment might have been different back then.
The two-day centenary celebration was chaired by Barisal City Corporation Administrator and the school's former student Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin.
Barisal-5 MP Mujibur Rahman Sarwar, along with former and current students of the school, attended the programme.
Former student and veteran teacher Jahanara Begum, Professor Shah Sajeda, Shamima Masud Munni and others also spoke at the event.
