Dhaka North City Corporation has opened a women’s holiday market in the city’s Mohakhali kitchen market area, just beside the Mohakhali bus terminal.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Thursday morning inaugurated the market.
In his inauguration speech, the minister welcomed DNCC’s steps and said: “The mayor [Annisul Huq] is always offering us surprises. The women’s holiday market is one of them and was one of his commitments in his mayoral election manifesto.”
“All kinds of security will be ensured and no one has to worry about women’s security,” he said.
The minister hoped a small step like a women’s holiday market will be a bigger example of women’s development in Bangladesh.
Mayor Annisul Huq said: “DNCC has a plan to open a women’s holiday market at every ward in the city, including one intended solely for autistic people.”
The market will be open for women two days a week – Friday and Saturday – from 10 am to 7pm.
However, according to a proposal of the DNCC and the shop owners, the market will stay open daily over Ramadan during these hours, DNCC officials told the Dhaka Tribune.
Female entrepreneurs owning business stalls and exhibiting their business DHAKA TRIBUNEThe DNCC mayor chaired the inauguration, which was attended by women entrepreneurs, local ward councilors, senior DNCC officials, officials of Bangladesh Bank and private banks, and autistic shop owners, among others.
At the end of the programme, Home Minister Kamal and Mayor Annisul Huq visited the market, set on the premises of a newly established DNCC kitchen market in the area.
In his answer to a question asked by journalists about the Banani rape incident, the home minister said: “No matter who they are, every culprit will be brought to book. If Raintree hotel authorities have shown any negligence in the matter, they will be punished as well.”