DHAKA, March 8, 2024 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today stressed the 
necessity of womenfolk's more engagement to the development process, saying 
equal participation of both men and women is needed for the country's overall 
development. 
 
 "Today, if we have to progress economically further, women and men can build 
the country equally with their labor because half of the society is women," 
she said while addressing a function marking the celebration of International 
Women's Day.

 The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs organised the function in the 
city's Osmani Memorial auditorium where the Premier, as the chief guest, also 
conferred "Best Joyeeta Award-2023" at the national level to five women as 
recognition to attaining success in different fields by overcoming 
difficulties and challenges.

 Mentioning the women as the half part of the society, Sheikh Hasina said if 
the half of the society does not work then that society cannot stand and 
can't be advanced further.
 
 "We can move forward only if men and women work equally. Today, we are 
moving forward because we have ensured (women's participation) this," she 
added.

 The Prime Minister said it is her optimism in this international women's day 
that "Our women will never be left behind". 

 Referring to ensuring the constitutional rights of women given by Father of 
the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina, also the 
president of ruling party Bangladesh Awami League, said that her party is the 
only political party in the country which has mentioned the equal rights of 
men and women in its constitution and manifesto.

 "Not, just for say, but Awami League has shown it when it came to power," 
she added.

 The Premier said her government has created opportunities, but the womenfolk 
should also come forward. "Don't stay at home. Because women do most of the 
work in society." 

 Mentioning a statistic which shows participation of women is 43 percent in 
terms of labor, she noted that they (women) do more extra work even after 
returning home from office which is not being calculated. 

 
 This year, the best Joyeeta awardees are-- Anar Koli (economics), Kallyani 
Minji (education and employment), Komoli Robi Dash (successful mother), 
Jahanara Begum (repression prevention) and Pakhi Dutta Hijra (social 
development).

 With State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Simeen Hussain Rimi in 
the chair, Secretary of the Ministry Nazma Mobarek delivered the welcome 
address.

 On behalf of the Joyeeta Awardees, Kallyani Minji expressed her feelings 
upon receiving the award.
 
 Each of the awardees received a cheque of Taka one lakh, crest, and 
certificate.

 At the outset, a documentary on women and the activities of the Ministry of 
Women and Children Affairs was screened.

 "Joyeeta" (victorious), a woman who reaches the peak of success by 
conquering all hurdles, means it is the symbolic name of a struggling and 
indomitable woman.

 The government introduced the award to Joyeetas in five categories: the 
women who achieved success economically, the women who earned success in 
education and jobs, the successful mothers, the women who turned around by 
wiping out the dark days of torture, and the women who contributed to social 
development.

Referring to their announcement of building digital Bangladesh, the Prime 
Minister said: "We have built digital Bangladesh, and now our goal is to 
build a Smart Citizen, Smart Government, Smart Economy and Smart Society by 
2041".
 
"If womenfolk are more involved in this journey of building a Smart 
Bangladesh, then we can reach our desired goal faster," she added.
 
Sheikh Hasina also mentioned about the appointment of the country's first 
female Superintendent of Police in Munshiganj district and recruitment of 
females in the country's armed forces-- Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and 
Bangladesh Air Force-- and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). 
 
Referring to the success of women in various fields, she said, "It wouldn't have 
happen (getting success) if women had not been given the opportunities." 

"My father (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) always said that economic 
emancipation of girls is the biggest freedom," the premier added.
 
She further said: "I can't but praise the work of the women where I have 
appointed them . . . they have shown their greatest efficiency."
 
Highlighting the appointment of two women in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) 
and the World Bank, Sheikh Hasina said: "The two women secretaries got the 
opportunity to work for these organisations. I want to prove that Bangladeshi 
women have the skills to work not only in the country but also at the 
international level. We have come a long way since then," she added.