ছবি: সংগৃহীত ছবি
Speaking at an event marking International Women’s Day 2026 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, President Mohammed Shahabuddin said that the foundation of women’s political and economic empowerment in Bangladesh was established by the country’s former president and independence declarer Ziaur Rahman, and later strengthened and modernized by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He noted that the first Women’s Affairs office was established in the President’s Secretariat in 1976, followed by the formation of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in 1978, which was later transformed into the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. The president said that initiatives such as making primary education compulsory for girls, introducing free education up to the 12th grade, and providing stipends for female students significantly increased female education rates and received international recognition. He added that the current government is also focusing on expanding women’s education and economic empowerment, with plans to introduce free education for girls up to the postgraduate level. He also mentioned the upcoming “Family Card” program aimed at supporting economically disadvantaged women.
reporter
