State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said that the government has decided to introduce “family cards” in women’s names to strengthen their dignity and financial independence within households.
Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised by the Department of Livestock Services on Sunday afternoon marking International Women’s Day 2026, the minister said the initiative would help women gain greater respect and economic security in families.
The programme was held at the department’s conference room under the theme: “Today’s actions for tomorrow’s justice—Ensuring the rights of women and girls.”
Tuku said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) believes that the majority of women in Bangladesh support the party. He added that several initiatives have been taken to ensure women’s safety and welfare, including plans to introduce separate transport facilities for women.
“The government will always stand beside women in promoting their development and empowerment,” he said, adding that women’s rights must go beyond recognition and be effectively implemented.
Highlighting past contributions to women’s empowerment, the state minister said former president Ziaur Rahman and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia played significant roles in advancing women’s rights in the country.
According to Tuku, major initiatives for women’s empowerment began during Ziaur Rahman’s leadership. In 1978, a dedicated ministry for women’s development was established and new employment opportunities were created for women. During that period, women were also recruited into the police and the Ansar forces for the first time, he said.
He noted that the progress achieved by women today would not have been possible without transformative changes in the education sector.
Referring to the present situation, Tuku said women are now playing a significant role across various sectors, particularly in the livestock sector. In many cases, he added, women are outperforming their male counterparts in both the quality of work and overall results.
Highlighting the current situation, the state minister said that women’s participation and success are now notable in various sectors, particularly in the livestock sector. In many cases, women are performing better in terms of both the quality of work and overall results.
He also noted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has repeatedly emphasized the importance of women’s role and dignity in his speeches. According to Tuku, women have had a significant influence on Tarique Rahman’s life, particularly his mother Khaleda Zia, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, and his daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman.
The state minister said that collective efforts are necessary to move society forward. He added that BNP’s core philosophy is “Bangladesh First,” and that the party’s election manifesto highlights the importance of strengthening women’s rights and dignity.
Tuku also pointed out that a large portion of marginal farmers in the livestock sector are now women. Women are successfully managing farms of various sizes, and the number of female entrepreneurs in rural economies is increasing rapidly. Many women, he said, are forming entrepreneur forums and strengthening their economic position through production and small businesses.
He further alleged that a previous government had created inequality in society by prioritizing political affiliation over merit. According to him, the current BNP government is working to ensure that merit and competence are valued over partisan considerations.
The discussion was presided over by Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, Dr Md Abu Sufian. Secretary (Routine Charge) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Md Imam Uddin Kabir, attended the event as a special guest, along with senior officials from the ministry and the department.
At the end of the programme, the state minister distributed crests among female officials to mark International Women’s Day.
Speakers at the event emphasized the need to ensure the protection of the rights of women and girls, establish equality, and promote women’s empowerment at all levels of society.
