Urging all to stay alert in preventing women from neglect, abuse, or oppression, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday said women empowerment must be a top priority for progress.
“Women's rights are a fundamental condition for global advancement in peace, security, human rights, and sustainable development,” he said in a message marking International Women’s Day.
Tarique stressed the importance of safeguarding women from neglect and repression, and ensuring they are not deprived of their fundamental rights.
He also expressed his best wishes for the success of this year’s theme for International Women’s Day: “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
In the message on International Women's Day, the BNP Acting Chairman called upon all to work sincerely towards the development and welfare of women.
He also wished success of this year’s theme for International Women's Day, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”.
Tarique said International Women's Day is a day of profound significance, highlighting the economic, political, and social contributions of women globally. “This day fosters awareness and encourages respect for women’s rights.”
In Bangladesh, he said, the importance of this day is immense as half of its population is women. “So, if the progress of women's is achieved, the overall development of the nation will be possible. Realising this truth, martyr President Ziaur Rahman took groundbreaking steps to ensure greater participation of women in social and state activities.
Continuing this legacy, Tarique said former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia implemented a range of initiatives aimed at advancing the socio-economic status of women and promoting education for all.
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During her tenures, he said, Khaleda Zia’s government made significant strides in the education sector for women.
“The enrollment rate in primary schools increased to 97%. Female students were brought under scholarship schemes, and gender equality in schools was established. Two new cadet colleges and three polytechnic institutes were opened for girls, and with US support, the Asia University for Women was established in Chattogram,” the BNP leader mentioned.
He said Khaleda Zia established a national university and an open university and approved private universities and medical colleges to encourage higher education, expanding opportunities for higher education for women.
Tarique also said Khaleda introduced a unique programme to promote education at the primary level, ensuring that education became mandatory across the country.
On July 1, 1993, he said primary education was made compulsory, and a Food-for-Education programme was launched to encourage the poor to seek education.
Besides, the BNP leader said secondary education for girls in rural areas became free, and a nationwide scholarship programme for female students in secondary schools was introduced.
“These initiatives provided women with a platform for empowerment and integration into the mainstream development process, which ultimately sparked self-confidence among them and paved the way for economic independence,” he observed.
At the same time, Tarique said, women find a way to become economically self-reliant.
“With women's education, training, and equal opportunities to compete with men, the progress of society and the development of the state accelerate. We must work together to ensure the strong presence of women in all activities in the changing world,” he said.