Financial solvency must for women’s empowerment: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said financial solvency is the key factor for women empowerment, report agencies.

She said the Awami League government made sixty per cent posts of primary school teachers mandatory reserved for women aimed at making them economically solvents.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing the inaugural function of the International Women's Day at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs arranged the function with Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Women and Children Affairs Ministry Meher Afroz Chumki in the chair.

Prime Minister called upon the country's womenfolk to achieve power with their own ability as the government has ensured their equal opportunities in various sectors to empower them.

"Though, we have given them (women local representatives) power, but they cannot apply it. I would like to tell them, who are now in charges (of local government bodies), they need to achieve the power with their own capabilities as none will hand over it to them," she said.

Referring to the government initiatives to empower women in politics, she said her government has made reserved one-third seats for women in the local body elections such as unions, upazilas and municipalities alongside a seat for woman vice-chairman in upazilas as they can perform specific responsibility.

In her speech Hasina put emphasis on creating mass awareness to eliminate discriminations and violence against women.

She said that only enacting laws was not enough to get this done.

"All have to remember one thing: enacting laws only won't help stop violence and disparities against women...we've to create awareness in society. To make that happen, women and men have to work together," she said.

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Mia Seppowas present at the function as a special guest, while Secretary of the Ministry KamrunNahar 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 this is very much outrageous deed. "Those who commit this sort of heinous work are the enemies of society," she said.

She urged all to publicise 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 and civilised countries, too," she said .

The Prime Minister urged all to remain alert against discrimination against girl children as well.

"We all have to work unitedly 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 and civilised 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, 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 violated during the War of Liberation.

Hasina said the successes of women is everywhere in Bangladesh and they are now at an equal stage along with their male counterparts in education, sports and creative works.

She mentioned that the country's women are now in very high position in all sectors like the administration, judiciary, education, as well as the armed forces and in law-enforcement agencies.

The Prime Minister also elaborated various steps taken by her government for the development and welfare of women.

About the 'Lifetime Contribution for Women Empowerment Award' given by the Institute of South Asian Women (ISAW), to her, 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 screened at the function.

Earlier, the Prime Minister distributed 'Joyeeta' awards among the winners for their achievements in life.

Later, the Prime Minister witnessed a cultural function and visited the stalls of women entrepreneurs.