Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has put emphasis on creating mass awareness in society to eliminate discriminations and violence against women, saying that only enacting laws is not enough to get this done.
"We all have to remember one thing - enacting laws only will not help stop violence and disparities against women...we have to create awareness in society. To make that happen, women and men have to work together," she said.
The prime minister made the remark while addressing the inaugural function of the International Women's Day at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) on Saturday.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs organized the function with Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Women and Children Affairs Ministry Meher Afroz Chumki in the chair.
UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Mia Seppo was present at the function as a special guest, while Secretary of the Ministry Kamrun Nahar delivered the welcome address.
The prime minister, who is also the minister in charge of Women and Children Affairs Ministry, said all have to remember that no society can be built leaving half of its population, who are women, behind.
"For that, we also have to work together...this is the most urgent matter," she added.
Expressing her deep resentment over child and woman rape incidents, Sheikh Hasina said it was outrageous.
Sheikh Hasina presents lifetime achievement 'Joyeeta' award to a winner at the International Women's Day function at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) on Saturday | Focus Bangla
"Those who commit this sort of heinous work are the enemies of society," she said.
She urged all to publicize the names, addresses, and pictures of rapists properly so that people treat them with hatred.
"The legal course is also there, but this problem not only exists in Bangladesh alone, it happens in developed countries, too," she said .
The premier urged all to remain alert against discrimination against female children as well. "We all have to work together if we want to build this society."
She said the women of the country have already proved themselves which could not be done by women in many developed countries around the world. "The women of Bangladesh showed that they can."
Recalling to the role of the Father of the Nation in upholding the dignity of women, Sheikha Hasina said Bangabandhu ensured their equal rights in all spheres of life.
While talking about Bangabandhu's various steps taken for rehabilitation of those mothers and sisters who were tortured by the Pakistani occupation forces and their local cohorts, she said many parents did not accept their daughters who were violated during the War of Liberation.
The prime minister visits the stalls arranged by Ministry of Women and Children Affairs on the occasion of International Women's Day at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) on Saturday | Focus Bangla
The prime minister said the successes of women is everywhere in Bangladesh and they are now on par with their male counterparts in education, sports, and creative work.
She mentioned that the country's women are now in very high positions in all sectors, like administration, judiciary, education, as well as the armed forces and law enforcement agencies.
The premier also elaborated various steps taken by her government for the development and welfare of women.
Regarding the "Lifetime Contribution for Women Empowerment Award" presented to her by the Institute of South Asian Women (ISAW), Sheikh Hasina said, she dedicated the award to the womenfolk of the world including those in Bangladesh.
A documentary on women empowerment and achievements in Bangladesh was also screened at the function.
Earlier, the prime minister distributed "Joyeeta" awards among the winners for their achievements in life.
Later, she witnessed a cultural function and visited the stalls of women entrepreneurs.
