2024-04-21 08:35:37
Speaker of the National Parliament. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury said, Aparajitara is a shining example of women’s empowerment. Struggle is the key to their success. Aparajitara will advance women’s empowerment at the grassroots level.
He said these things while appearing as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the National Aparajita Conference at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka on Saturday (April 20).
Under the chairmanship of Bagerhat District Women’s Organization and Bagerhat District Aparajita Network President Sharifa Khanam, Khan Foundation’s Executive Director Advocate Roksana Khandkar gave a welcome speech on the occasion, Dinajpur District Aparajita Network Member Jasmine Akhter Riva and Helvetas Bangladesh Project Director Prashant Tripura.
President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee of the Ministry of Culture Asaduzzaman Noor, Amatul Kibria Keya Chowdhury, Arma Dutta, Nachima Zaman Bobby and Ambassador of Switzerland Reto Rengli spoke as special guests. Jhalkathir Upazila Vice Chairman and Barisal Divisional Aparajita Network General Secretary Israt Jahan Sonali gave vote of thanks on the occasion.
Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has adopted effective legal models and plans to advance women. Various incentives are being provided to women including technical training so that there is no discrimination in accessing digital opportunities.
He said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had provided for reserved seats for women in the constitution of 1972. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina increased the number of reserved seats to 50. Women can become members of Parliament through direct election and reserved seats.
Speaker also said that half of the population of the country is women. Therefore, the number of women voters in this country is also high. which can have a positive impact on women’s political empowerment. Political empowerment requires women to work in their service to gain public trust. Empowerment of women develops only through the innate wisdom of women. In this way, women are working efficiently both in the home and outside.
He said Aparajita Network is an integrated platform of 9000 women. This network should move forward by maintaining communication, camaraderie, harmony and unity among themselves. He said that this network is working to improve the skills of women through various trainings which is highly commendable.
On this occasion, 16 women from 16 districts were honored as pioneers and Union Parishad members as pioneers.
300 Aparajitas from 16 districts of the country, prominent women leaders, invited guests, dignitaries and media workers were present at the National Aparajita Conference.