প্রকাশ: 21/09/2022
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today laid emphasis on the
integration of women in decision-making process, saying that it is important to
have them in leadership team to reflect on the solutions and benefit from their
experiences and perspective.
"Women are disproportionately affected during crises.
It is, therefore, important to integrate women in decision-making for finding
an effective solution to the crises," she said.
Sheikh Hasina noted that women are shining in each and every sector, breaking
all the stereotyping and showing indomitable courage and leadership skills.
The premier made this remarks while addressing a “High Level
Meeting of the UNGA Platform of Women Leaders Convened by the President of the
General Assembly Csaba Korösi” at Trusteeship Council in the United Nations
Headquarters.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Transformative
Solutions by Women Leaders to Today’s Interlinked Challenges”.
Sheikh Hasina strongly felt that it was high time to utilise
the network (UNGA Platform of Women Leaders) to share views on tackling the
complex global challenges and bring positive outcomes not only for their
respective countries but also for mankind.
From the point of view of her country, the Bangladesh
premier said, they look forward to continue participating in the UN’s efforts
to encourage women leadership globally.
She highlighted three points on localising the advisory
board on gender equality, nurturing and supporting the women-led civil society
organisations with sufficient political and financial means and convening a
Leaders’ Summit to reinforce common agenda for gender equality.
In her first point, Sheikh Hasina recommend for founding the
advisory board on gender equality. "This now needs to be localized. We
need gender champions at all levels, especially at the grass-root level, and we
can lead by example."
Besides, women-led civil society organizations need to be
nurtured and supported with sufficient political and financial means, she said
in her second point, adding that UN has an important role in supporting such
efforts.
Finally, she invited all to convene a Leaders’ Summit to
reinforce their common agenda for gender equality. "All leaders – not just
us - should join and present concrete commitments for advancing gender equality
and women empowerment."
Talking about Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said the government has taken various
steps to empower women and girls, to secure their legal protections and
creating new ways for them to attain financial freedom.
To this end, she said that Bangladesh substantially achieved
Goal three of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by ensuring gender parity
in primary and secondary education.
“We are committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of Gender
equality and empowering women,” she added.
She also mentioned that about 27 percent of the national
budget is allocated for women’s social and economic empowerment activities.
In the political spectrum, the premier said, Bangladesh has
ensured representation of women in all levels, from the top to the lowest tier
of government. "We are bringing our women in the forefront of all economic
activities."
Encouraging women entrepreneurship is a key policy goal of
her government, she said, adding: “We've taken specific policy actions, such
as, fostering a gender-neutral legal framework for business ensuring equal
access to finance for female and male entrepreneurs.”
She said Bangladesh central bank is providing
collateral-free loan up to Taka 2.5 million to the women entrepreneurs.
The head of government mentioned that 15 percent funds of
the refinancing scheme, 10 percent industrial plots and 10 percent small
entrepreneur funds are allocated for women.
“Every bank and non-bank financial institutions have
dedicated desk for women entrepreneurs,” she said.
She also said that over four million women are employed in
the readymade garments industry, while some 35 percent of the country's women
have their bank account and women’s contribution to the GDP growth is 34
percent.
“We aim at ensuring 40 percent participation of women in
every sector by 2021 and 50 percent by 2030,” she added.
- BSS
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