International Women's Day was observed across the country on Sunday with a call for ensuring greater participation of women in all sectors to accelerate national development. Various programmes including discussions, rallies and awareness campaigns were organized in different districts to mark the occasion.
In Khulna, the Khulna district administration, the Department of Women Affairs and Jatiya Mohila Sangstha jointly organized programmes with the support of development partner organizations. A discussion meeting was held in the conference room of the deputy commissioner’s office in the morning with the theme ‘Today’s Steps for Gender Equality: Securing the Rights of Women and Girls’.
Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Mokhtar Ahmed attended the meeting as the chief guest. In his speech, he said there is no scope to neglect women and that Bangladesh observes International Women’s Day every year with due respect and importance like the rest of the world. He emphasized that proper evaluation of women’s labour is essential for building a fair and progressive society, reports our Khulna correspondent.
The divisional commissioner also highlighted the need to ensure a supportive working environment for women. He suggested establishing comfort rooms at workplaces so that female employees can perform their duties with safety and convenience. Deputy Commissioner of Khulna ASM Jamshed Khondoker presided over the meeting.
The day was also observed in Rajshahi with similar programmes. Paba Upazila administration and the Upazila Women Affairs Office organized an event at the auditorium of Paba Upazila Parishad. Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Sabuj Islam chaired the programme.
Speaking as chief guest, Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon, MP, said the country’s overall progress is closely linked with the empowerment and advancement of women, who constitute nearly half of the population. He stressed that sustainable national development cannot be achieved without ensuring women’s participation in every sector of society. He also urged families and communities to encourage women to move forward in education, employment and leadership, according to our Rajshahi correspondent.
Referring to reform proposals of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, he said the party’s 31-point state reform plan includes measures to promote women’s development and empowerment. He also recalled initiatives taken during the tenure of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, including free education for girls up to the higher secondary level and the establishment of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in 1994.
In Rangpur, the district administration and the Department of Women Affairs jointly organized programmes to mark the day. Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan attended the discussion as chief guest, with Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Romiz Alam in the chair.
In his speech, the deputy commissioner said the development of the country is not possible by leaving women behind, as they constitute nearly half of the population. He noted that women are making important contributions at all levels of society and that their participation is essential for economic growth and social progress, reports BSS.
He also mentioned that the government has introduced legal aid services in every district to support women who face violence and oppression, especially in remote areas. These services provide free legal assistance, and he emphasized the need to raise greater awareness about them in marginalized communities.
Rangpur Additional Superintendent of Police Md Joynal Abedin, Deputy Director of the Women’s Affairs Department Mst Seloara Begum and representatives of various women’s organizations also spoke at the event.
At the end of the programme, food items were distributed among the members of victim families of the July Uprising martyrs.
