Laws discriminatory to women to be amended: PM
Women Development Policy to be implemented soon, says Hasina
Dhaka, Mar 8 (UNB) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the government, if necessary, will amend or repeal laws that are harmful and discriminatory to women in the country.
Besides, she said the Women Development Policy formulated during the last Awami League rule will soon be made effective to ensure socio-economic security and development of the women.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing the inaugural function of the centenary of International Women’s Day at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the morning.
In 1910, Clara Zetkin, a German socialist, called for an International Women’s Day. She was inspired by the historic struggle of immigrant women garment workers in New York City who were fighting for their better working conditions and living wages.
At the time, most garment workers didn’t live past their early twenties because of the horrendous working conditions. They went on strike for 13 cold winter weeks and in the end they were victorious.
This year, the International Women Day is being observed with the slogan - Equal Rights, Equal Opportunity and Progress for All.
With State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury in the chair, the inaugural function was also addressed by Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry Meher Afroz Chumki MP and acting secretary of the Ministry Razia Begum.
At the function, the Prime Minister released a postage stamp of Tk 5 denomination and a first day cover of Tk 6 on the occasion of International Women’s Day’ 2010.
Sheikh Hasina in her speech paid rich tribute to women who were violated and killed during the 1971 liberation war.
She also recalled the women who had made tremendous sacrifices for women development across the world.
Regarding the women development policy, the Prime Minister said that the last BNP-Jamaat government had brought changes “silently” in the policy. “We’ll restore the previous provisions and make the policy more up-to-date.”
She said Awami League in its election manifesto also promised to ensure women’s equal rights in every sphere of life.
To ensure social dignity of women, Hasina identified two priority areas - education and financial self-reliance of women.
Realizing the significance of education for all, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had arranged free primary education, she said. “Now, I think, the whole education should be made fully free for both male and female.”
In this regard, the Prime Minister reiterated the government’s plan to make education free for all up to the degree level.
About the women’s rights in family property, she said Islam is the only religion where women’s share in property has been ensured. “I think women should have equal right to property.”
She observed that by involving women in national development process, corruption can also be reduced significantly.
Hasina said that women trafficking, acid and domestic violence, and family discrimination must be stopped.
To stop women trafficking, he informed that the government has already talked to the neighboring countries about taking effective steps to protect women from trafficking.
Mentioning that five of her cabinet colleagues are women, the Prime Minister said that in future, deputy speaker and speaker of parliament will be made from the women community.
“Leader of the House, Opposition Leader and Deputy Leader of the House (parliament) are women. But we are yet to get female speaker and deputy speaker. Insha-Allah, we will have deputy speaker and speaker in future as well,” she said.
Hasina in her speech also called for ensuring dormitory facilities for the working women, including garment workers, and day-care centers in the offices.
“We cannot expect to achieve national development keeping the women community neglected,” she said.
Besides, she said the Women Development Policy formulated during the last Awami League rule will soon be made effective to ensure socio-economic security and development of the women.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing the inaugural function of the centenary of International Women’s Day at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the morning.
In 1910, Clara Zetkin, a German socialist, called for an International Women’s Day. She was inspired by the historic struggle of immigrant women garment workers in New York City who were fighting for their better working conditions and living wages.
At the time, most garment workers didn’t live past their early twenties because of the horrendous working conditions. They went on strike for 13 cold winter weeks and in the end they were victorious.
This year, the International Women Day is being observed with the slogan - Equal Rights, Equal Opportunity and Progress for All.
With State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury in the chair, the inaugural function was also addressed by Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry Meher Afroz Chumki MP and acting secretary of the Ministry Razia Begum.
At the function, the Prime Minister released a postage stamp of Tk 5 denomination and a first day cover of Tk 6 on the occasion of International Women’s Day’ 2010.
Sheikh Hasina in her speech paid rich tribute to women who were violated and killed during the 1971 liberation war.
She also recalled the women who had made tremendous sacrifices for women development across the world.
Regarding the women development policy, the Prime Minister said that the last BNP-Jamaat government had brought changes “silently” in the policy. “We’ll restore the previous provisions and make the policy more up-to-date.”
She said Awami League in its election manifesto also promised to ensure women’s equal rights in every sphere of life.
To ensure social dignity of women, Hasina identified two priority areas - education and financial self-reliance of women.
Realizing the significance of education for all, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had arranged free primary education, she said. “Now, I think, the whole education should be made fully free for both male and female.”
In this regard, the Prime Minister reiterated the government’s plan to make education free for all up to the degree level.
About the women’s rights in family property, she said Islam is the only religion where women’s share in property has been ensured. “I think women should have equal right to property.”
She observed that by involving women in national development process, corruption can also be reduced significantly.
Hasina said that women trafficking, acid and domestic violence, and family discrimination must be stopped.
To stop women trafficking, he informed that the government has already talked to the neighboring countries about taking effective steps to protect women from trafficking.
Mentioning that five of her cabinet colleagues are women, the Prime Minister said that in future, deputy speaker and speaker of parliament will be made from the women community.
“Leader of the House, Opposition Leader and Deputy Leader of the House (parliament) are women. But we are yet to get female speaker and deputy speaker. Insha-Allah, we will have deputy speaker and speaker in future as well,” she said.
Hasina in her speech also called for ensuring dormitory facilities for the working women, including garment workers, and day-care centers in the offices.
“We cannot expect to achieve national development keeping the women community neglected,” she said.
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