Commitment to close cooperation with UN Women in women’s empowerment

Bangladesh wants to work more closely with UN Women in women’s economic empowerment, climate resilience and implementation of women, peace and security programs. To this end, the organization’s cooperation has been called for strengthening. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam made this call in a bilateral meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Seema Bahus in New York on Friday (June 19).
Stating that Bangladesh has been working for women’s empowerment for a long time, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid said that free education for women was introduced in the country on the initiative of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. In addition, various initiatives have been taken under the current government, including free education for women up to postgraduate level, expansion of reproductive health care and mental health care.
UN Women Executive Director Seema Bahus praised Bangladesh’s progress in women’s empowerment and gender equality. At the same time, she congratulated Bangladesh on being elected as the President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. At the time, UN Women expressed its interest in further strengthening cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh in implementing the ‘Women, Peace and Security’ programme. Seema Bahus also appreciated the contribution of Bangladeshi women in peace-building and UN peacekeeping missions.
During the meeting, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs expressed concern over the lack of funding for humanitarian assistance for Rohingya women and girls. She also stressed the need for continued international cooperation on a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis and their early return to their home country, Myanmar.