Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her wish to see a woman as the country’s president, the highest constitutional post of the country, someday in the future.
Hasina expressed her wish while talking to colleagues at the end of a formal cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat yesterday, sources present at the meeting confirmed.
“If I get an opportunity, I will make a woman the republic’s president,” a cabinet member, wishing not to be named, quoted the prime minister as saying.
The premier made the comment while the cabinet was discussing the post of Speaker – the third highest constitutional post in the country, according to the source.
Hasina, who also the president of the Awami League, mentioned Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, the state minister for women and children affairs, as the next Speaker.
“Then she said ‘I wanted to see a woman in the post of Speaker, and thus we got the decision in favour of Shirin at yesterday’s [Sunday] meeting of the party’s parliamentary board. Now I wish to see a woman president,’” the cabinet member said quoting Hasina.
Former Speaker, Abdul Hamid, was sworn in as the country’s 20th president last week as the post fell vacant after the death of Zillur Rahman.
Sources said the prime minister also discussed at the rescue operation at Rana Plaza at the meeting, as well as the recent political scenario in the country.
Hasina shared with her colleagues step-by-step the rescue activities conducted at the site.
She assured the meeting that the government would bear all the expenses for the treatment of the injured. “If anyone needs to go abroad for better treatment, the government will arrange it,” she added.
Earlier in the morning, Hasina visited Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar to meet the injured where she inspected their treatment and rehabilitation.
About Hefazat-e-Islam’s May 5 “Dhaka blockade” programme, she asked the ministers to stay alert since the organisation “has repeatedly threatened the government.” She reportedly called it an “audacity.”
