Govt for empowering women in all spheres of society
Monday, 10 December 2007
Chief Adviser (CA) Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed has said that the government wants to accelerate its ongoing efforts to pave the way for empowering women in all spheres of society to establish the rights of women.
But the country still has a long way to go to reach the goal, the Chief Adviser observed.
He was addressing a function organised by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs marking Begum Rokeya Day in the city Sunday, reports UNB.
Chaired by Women and Children Affairs Adviser Geeteara Safiya Chowdhury, the function was also addressed by Women and Children Affairs Secretary Rokeya Sultana.
Advisers, academics, representatives of various women's organisations and non-government organisations (NGOs) were present.
The head of the caretaker government distributed Begum Rokeya Padak 2007, a national award, at the function among the two women recipients for their outstanding contribution to women education and women development.
Professor Latifa Akand and Prof. Dr. Hosne Ara Begum received the national award this year, which carries a gold medal and certificate.
Latifa Akand, now 82 years old, is chairperson of the board of directors of Democracywatch, Bangladesh, and Vice President of 'Nijera Kori', a voluntary organisation.
Hosne Ara Begum founded Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS) in 1980 and since then her organisation is playing an important role in empowering poor rural women through various women development programmes. Presently, the number of beneficiaries from TMSS is 2.0 million.
Speaking as the chief guest at the function, the Chief Adviser urged the womenfolk to be inspired by Begum Rokeya's ideals and spread her thoughts to even the remotest areas of the country to pave the way for women empowerment.
He mentioned that on the gender issue Begum Rokeya as a social reformer specifically stated interests of men and women are no different as women and men are like two eyes of the society.
"This statement of Begum Rokeya did not harbour any anti-male attitude, rather laid importance on complementary relation between men and women, now reflected in the gender-mainstream idea of the international arena," he told the function.
Fakhruddin Ahmed said Begum Rokeya's call for women to become self-reliant did not go in vain. "Imbued with her spirit, ideal and appeal, the women of this country are marching ahead… Today, gender-friendly budget has become essential precondition also in development planning of Bangladesh."
He said participation of women was now increasing in all areas of the society including as public representatives and in military and civil administration, judiciary, and trade and commerce. The women have proved their worth in all challenging professions.
Recalling Begum Rokeya's struggle against repression on women in her times, he said unfortunately such situation still prevailed in some places. Putting an end to this was now very urgent.
Mentioning various ongoing programmes taken by different ministries in the light of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and National Strategy Paper for Poverty Reduction, the Chief Adviser said these would make the path of national socio-economic development smooth and sustainable.
But the country still has a long way to go to reach the goal, the Chief Adviser observed.
He was addressing a function organised by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs marking Begum Rokeya Day in the city Sunday, reports UNB.
Chaired by Women and Children Affairs Adviser Geeteara Safiya Chowdhury, the function was also addressed by Women and Children Affairs Secretary Rokeya Sultana.
Advisers, academics, representatives of various women's organisations and non-government organisations (NGOs) were present.
The head of the caretaker government distributed Begum Rokeya Padak 2007, a national award, at the function among the two women recipients for their outstanding contribution to women education and women development.
Professor Latifa Akand and Prof. Dr. Hosne Ara Begum received the national award this year, which carries a gold medal and certificate.
Latifa Akand, now 82 years old, is chairperson of the board of directors of Democracywatch, Bangladesh, and Vice President of 'Nijera Kori', a voluntary organisation.
Hosne Ara Begum founded Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS) in 1980 and since then her organisation is playing an important role in empowering poor rural women through various women development programmes. Presently, the number of beneficiaries from TMSS is 2.0 million.
Speaking as the chief guest at the function, the Chief Adviser urged the womenfolk to be inspired by Begum Rokeya's ideals and spread her thoughts to even the remotest areas of the country to pave the way for women empowerment.
He mentioned that on the gender issue Begum Rokeya as a social reformer specifically stated interests of men and women are no different as women and men are like two eyes of the society.
"This statement of Begum Rokeya did not harbour any anti-male attitude, rather laid importance on complementary relation between men and women, now reflected in the gender-mainstream idea of the international arena," he told the function.
Fakhruddin Ahmed said Begum Rokeya's call for women to become self-reliant did not go in vain. "Imbued with her spirit, ideal and appeal, the women of this country are marching ahead… Today, gender-friendly budget has become essential precondition also in development planning of Bangladesh."
He said participation of women was now increasing in all areas of the society including as public representatives and in military and civil administration, judiciary, and trade and commerce. The women have proved their worth in all challenging professions.
Recalling Begum Rokeya's struggle against repression on women in her times, he said unfortunately such situation still prevailed in some places. Putting an end to this was now very urgent.
Mentioning various ongoing programmes taken by different ministries in the light of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and National Strategy Paper for Poverty Reduction, the Chief Adviser said these would make the path of national socio-economic development smooth and sustainable.