DHAKA, Dec 26, 2023 (BSS) – Women empowerment and development in the country in the last couple of years have seen a big jump because of the present government’s earnest commitment in this regard.

 
According to the sources, the government is conducting training projects for women across the country through pilot projects in around 25 sectors, making women self-reliant in the self-employment process.
 
“It was Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who had initiated for the first time the process to take the status of women in the country to a dignified position, as per constitutional obligation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is now taking forward the process for women empowerment through her farsighted leadership. Bangladesh managed to hold on to the highest position among South Asian nations in terms of gender equality for three subsequent years as per Global Gender Gap Index of World Economic Forum,” Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel said.
 
The junior minister also reminded the fact that Bangladesh also ranks fifth in the world in terms of political empowerment of women index of the World Economic Forum.
 
The Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina adopted many projects for women empowerment. The number of parliamentary reserved seats for women have been increased from 45 to 50. Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act-2010 and Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Rules-2013 have been drafted to prevent domestic violence against women and protect them. DNA Act-2014 was implemented on September 22, 2014. The National Action Plan (2013-2025) has been formulated to prevent violence against women.
 
Apart from these, Child Marriage Prevention Act-2014 has been formulated. The Dowry Prevention Act-2015 was enacted by amending the Dowry Prevention Act-1980.
 
According to the sources, the role of women workers is important for the progress of the garment industry. Most of the workers in this industry are women. It is more than 40 lakhs in number. The government increased their salary by 219 percent in two phases from Taka 1,662 to Taka 5,300. In 2023 it was increased to 12 thousand. The working environment of women has been improved in the factory.
 
Meanwhile, the government is encouraging women to create entrepreneurship in the country. In this case, women entrepreneurs are getting bank loans at five to six percent less interest than male entrepreneurs. Maternity Allowance for 'poor mothers' ensures nutrition for mother and child. Allowances are being provided to lactating mothers and expecting mothers working in garments from the Lactating Mothers Assistance Fund.
 
Moushumi Islam, president of Association of Grassroots Women Entrepreneurs Bangladesh (AGWEB), said that due to the government's initiative, it has become easier than before for women entrepreneurs to get loans from banks. But it needs to be made more effective.
 
According to the sources of the Directorate of Women Affairs, the government is providing grants to poor mothers through 17,639 associations registered by the Directorate. It is conducting special project activities in 22 upazilas of Natore, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj districts through Food and Livelihood Security (FLS) scheme. A 100-bed women's and children's diabetic hospital has been established at Segunbagicha area in the capital.
 
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Rokeya Award distribution ceremony, said that gender budgeting reports were prepared for 40 ministries and departments in the financial year 2013-14. The purpose of this report is to ensure the welfare of women. More projects will be formulated for the welfare of women in the future.
 
According to sources, the government is running eight working women's hostels in the capital. Distressed women development (VGD) program is going on in 4,547 unions of 489 upazilas of 64 districts. Accommodation facility has been increased through upward expansion of Shaheed Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Mujib Mahila Training Academy at Gazipur.
 
Besides, the One-Stop Crisis Center (OCC) has provided services to around one and a half lakh women so far. The One-Stop Crisis Cell provided assistance to 16,179 abused women from January 2013 to September 2015. A total of 3,200 DNA samples have been tested at the National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory till September 2015. Regular monthly follow-up meetings are being held for former-victims in eight one-stop crisis centers of the country.
 
Activities to prevent sexual harassment and stop child marriage are going on with the help of National Helpline Center by calling 10921. The activities of the 'Women's Torture Prevention Cell' are being conducted at the central office of the Jatiyo Mohila Sangstha. The National Center on Gender Based Violence has been established.
 
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatunnesa Indira said, why should we lag behind, we want to improve the people of Bangladesh. As per the instructions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we are trying to make the people of the village have a better life and get civic benefits. Hopefully, our mothers and sisters will be able to set that example.
 
Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel mentioned that the Bangladesh government is making gender responsive investments and budgets on a priority basis in order to ensure comprehensive empowerment of women in the economic, political and social context.
 
Besides, various projects have been launched to provide support, encouragement and incentives to women in Bangladesh, including 'Ashrayan', 'Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar' and 'Joyeeta'. Mobile app has been launched to prevent child marriage, sexual abuse and violence and to get necessary police and other services in this regard.
 
Nowfel further said that Bangladesh has women leadership from the highest level to the grassroots. Twenty percent of the total parliamentarians are women. Bangladesh has achieved gender equality in the primary and secondary levels of education and women's education has been made free.
 
He also said that scholarships are being given to female students from the Prime Minister's Education Assistance Fund to facilitate women's education.