UN USG lauds women empowerment in BD

Ms Catherine Pollard, the United Nations Under Secretary General (USG) for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury at her office in the city on Saturday, reports UNB.
During the meeting, they discussed different issues particularly women's empowerment, gender equality, Rohingya issue, parliamentary session and participation of women in peace missions, said a press release.
The speaker said the constitution of Bangladesh mentioned the equal rights of men and women. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has achieved commendable progress in women empowerment and ensuring gender equality.
"Through the special initiative of Sheikh Hasina , a house is being provided in the joint name of both the husband and wife of a family under the Asharyan Project, as a result of which the rights of women are protected," she added.
Dr Chowdhury said the government is providing cash allowance for pregnant and lactating mothers. The government also arranged widow allowance, old age allowance, disability allowance etc. under the social security net which is also helping to reduce the extreme poverty rate of the country, she mentioned.
Referring to her participation in the 1st meeting of women peacekeeping, the speaker said, Bangladeshi women have been working with efficiency and reputation in UN peacekeeping missions, added the release.
Ms Catherine acknowledged Bangladesh's longstanding and substantial contribution to UN peacekeeping operations. She lauded Bangladesh's success in empowering women.
Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Bangladesh's permanent representative to the United Nations, and the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary General of the United Nations Ms. Daragh Russell and high officials of Parliament secretariat were present.
Meanwhile, UN Under Secretary General (USG) for Department of Peace Operations Jean Pierre Lacroix will attend the first UN peacekeeping ministerial preparatory meeting to be held in Dhaka on June 25-26.
"This is the first of a series of four themed conferences ahead of the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial, to be held in Accra, Ghana, on 5 and 6 December 2023," said Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
The theme of the preparatory meeting, which is co-hosted by Bangladesh, Canada, and Uruguay, is "Women in UN Peacekeeping".

The two-day meeting will welcome representatives from troop and police contributing countries, and UN peacekeeping experts to discuss progress, challenges and good practices to promote women's meaningful participation in UN peacekeeping and to foster gender-responsive leadership.
He will be attending the meeting at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials said.
After Bangladesh, Lacroix will travel to Nepal and Bhutan from 27 June to 3 July.
He will discuss the countries' ongoing support to UN peace operations, including within the framework of the Peacekeeping Ministerial.
The United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial is an important opportunity for Member States to come together in a collective effort to strengthen the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations and their impact on the communities they serve, according to UN.
In 2023, the Peacekeeping Ministerial will be hosted by Ghana in Accra on 5-6 December.
It is the latest in a series of meetings held at the Head of State, Government, or Ministerial level since 2014, including in Seoul in 2021.
The discussions will focus on concrete measures to improve operations in line with ongoing reform through Action for Peacekeeping, A4P+ and the Digital Transformation Strategy.
Bangladesh is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations.