DHAKA, March 7, 2024 (BSS) - President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in separate messages, today greeted all women across the world on the occasion of International Women's Day, to be observed in the country tomorrow.

The President, in his message, said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had taken necessary steps to ensure overall development and empowerment of women and to uphold dignity of men and women in the constitution formulated in 1972.

Following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promoted women's progress in economic, political, social, educational, medical and security sectors, he said.

Thus, the premier has created a strong position in women development, he said.

Apart from the government, private and socio-cultural institutions should also come forward with various development projects for development of women, the head of the state added.

He described this year's theme of the day 'Narir Somo Odhikar, Somo Sujog-Egiye Nite Hok Biniyog' as time befitting.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, formed the Women's Rehabilitation Board in 1972 with the aim of rehabilitating and empowering women affected by the Great War of Liberation.

The premier Bangabandhu ensured equality of women in all spheres of national life in the constitution.

Since 2009, the Awami League-led government has been continuously working to ensure the equal participation of men and women in every work, she continued.

Investments and gender-responsive financing are being promoted to achieve gender equality and women's empowerment in the global context, she said.

Various initiatives have been taken by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to advance women in the economic, social and political context of Bangladesh and to build a better, smart Bangladesh by 2041, she said.

The Department of Women Affairs is creating opportunities for sustainable livelihood by providing self-employment and training to women along with upholding equal rights, opportunities and self-esteem of women, she said. 

Women benefit and mother and child support programs are being implemented with the aim of ensuring maternal and child health and making women self-reliant, the premier added.

"With the combined efforts of all the men and women of the country, we will build a hunger-poverty-free and developed-prosperous 'Golden Bangladesh' as dreamt by the father of the nation by 2041, Insha Allah," she hoped.

Both the president and the premier wished all the programs undertaken on the occasion of 'International Women's Day-2024' a success.

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year. It is a focal point in the movement for women's rights. 

Different women, social and political organizations have taken separate programmes to observe the International Women's Day in Bangladesh tomorrow.