Secularism does not preclude religion: PM
Friday, 23 April 2010
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her and her government's strong commitment to ensuring religious freedom and the dignity of each and every person, asserting her present government's belief in secularism does not preclude religion.
"Secularism does not mean not believing in religion," she said.
The PM was presiding over the first meeting of the National Council for Women and Children Development (NCWCD) at the Prime Minister's Office Thursday, reports UNB.
She said that everyone in the country was fully free to practice his or her religion with dignity, adding that her government would try its best to maintain freedom of expression and the freedom to practice whatever faith one chooses.
Focusing on the core theme of the meeting, Hasina directed the Women and Children's Welfare Ministry, as well as other ministries and departments concerned to form a committee and chalk out a holistic plan for rehabilitating all the street children.
She said the last Awami League government (1996-2001) had taken various steps for the welfare of women and children, but subsequent governments did not continue the programmes.
Hasina also said the working women of the country would have to be provided with safe accommodation, while day-care centres need to be set up in all offices to facilitate a tension-free working environment for them.
The PM called strongly for the eradication of trafficking in women and children, and the use of children in peddling drugs.
Hasina laid emphasis on the need for setting up offices of the Jatiya Mahila Sangstha (National Women's Organisation) at every upazila
of the country for the betterment of women around the country, as it now has branches in 50 upazilas only.
Hasina stressed on helping the country's disabled women and children.
Agriculture Minister Motia Chowdhury, Planning Minister AK Khandaker, Law Minister Barrister Shaifique Ahmed, Home Minister Sahara Khatun, Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad, Social Welfare Minister Enamul Haque Mostafa Shaheed, Health Minister AFM Ruhal Huq, principal secretary to the PM MA Karim, Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, PM's Office Secretary Mollah Waheeduzzaman were present in the meeting.
"Secularism does not mean not believing in religion," she said.
The PM was presiding over the first meeting of the National Council for Women and Children Development (NCWCD) at the Prime Minister's Office Thursday, reports UNB.
She said that everyone in the country was fully free to practice his or her religion with dignity, adding that her government would try its best to maintain freedom of expression and the freedom to practice whatever faith one chooses.
Focusing on the core theme of the meeting, Hasina directed the Women and Children's Welfare Ministry, as well as other ministries and departments concerned to form a committee and chalk out a holistic plan for rehabilitating all the street children.
She said the last Awami League government (1996-2001) had taken various steps for the welfare of women and children, but subsequent governments did not continue the programmes.
Hasina also said the working women of the country would have to be provided with safe accommodation, while day-care centres need to be set up in all offices to facilitate a tension-free working environment for them.
The PM called strongly for the eradication of trafficking in women and children, and the use of children in peddling drugs.
Hasina laid emphasis on the need for setting up offices of the Jatiya Mahila Sangstha (National Women's Organisation) at every upazila
of the country for the betterment of women around the country, as it now has branches in 50 upazilas only.
Hasina stressed on helping the country's disabled women and children.
Agriculture Minister Motia Chowdhury, Planning Minister AK Khandaker, Law Minister Barrister Shaifique Ahmed, Home Minister Sahara Khatun, Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad, Social Welfare Minister Enamul Haque Mostafa Shaheed, Health Minister AFM Ruhal Huq, principal secretary to the PM MA Karim, Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, PM's Office Secretary Mollah Waheeduzzaman were present in the meeting.