He said this at a regular briefing from his official residence on Tuesday morning.

Obaidul Quader said the Sheikh Hasina government believes in economic and political empowerment of women as well as recognition of their work.

The BNP leaders said in the Women's Day programme that the women of this country are deprived of their rights. In this context, Quader said that the initiative of the present government in establishing respect and dignity of women as well as social and political empowerment is appreciated at home and abroad.

He said besides providing security for women in the workplace, the government has also provided free education up to class eleven. 

Also read: Do not question the 'settled issues' of Liberation War: Obaidul Quader

Women representatives are being elected in local government bodies through direct voting, and reserved women's seats have been increased in the National Assembly, he also said.

Mentioning that unsecured loans have been provided to create women entrepreneurs, Obaidul Quader said that the participation of women in challenging professions is increasing.

Obaidul Quader said that Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina has given unique recognition to women by adding the mother's name alongside  father's name in registering each  citizen's identity.

"Sheikh Hasina has proved that her government is women- friendly among all the governments that have come in Bangladesh after 1975," he also said.

Also read: Obaidul Quader slams BNP

Mentioning that thousands of women like Fahima and Purnima were raped during the BNP rule, the general secretary of the Awami League said that the torture of minority women defeated the brutality of the Pak aggressors of 1971.

He said the Sheikh Hasina government was trying to open the door to all possibilities for the advancement of women on the one hand and against those who were abusing women on the other.

The women of this country are not prisoners but Sheikh Hasina has shown them a free sky of possibilities. With  technology in their hands now, Obaidul Quader said millions of women are earning from now. 

Quader said the incident of a woman being thrown off a bus in Keraniganj was unfortunate.

He said he has already directed the BRTA to take strict action in this regard.

Also read: Zero-tolerance against irregularities in relief activities: Obaidul Quader