Implement women policy

President Zillur Rahman gives away Begum Rokeya Padak (medal) to a recipient at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city yesterday. Photo: PID

President Zillur Rahman yesterday urged all to be sincere in implementing National Women Development Policy-2011 for establishing the rights and dignity of women in the country.
“Sustainable development is not possible without equal participation of man and woman as half of the country's population is women,” he said while distributing this year's 'Rokeya Padak' marking the 'Begum Rokeya Day-2011' at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city.
Begum Meherunnesa Khatun and Professor Hamida Khanam (posthumous) have been awarded Rokeya Padak 2011 in recognition of their contributions to development of women in Bangladesh.
The president urged all to work together for building a happy and prosperous Bangladesh through reflections on the philosophy and ideals of Begum Rokeya, a pioneer in women renaissance of this subcontinent.
He said the government is relentlessly working with sincerity in establishing equal rights and equal opportunities of the women in their family, social and national life.
Terming Begum Rokeya the torch bearer in the movement for emancipation of Muslim women, the president said she worked for establishing economic independence and rights and dignity of women as well as eradicating gender discrimination throughout her life. Hundred years back, he said the great woman had dreamt that one day women would run the state and enjoy all facilities equal to their male counterpart.
“The hundred years old dream of Begum Rokeya has been mostly implemented in the present time,” he said, adding “Now our prime minister is another great lady where leader of opposition and deputy leader of Parliament are also women.”
The president said women are now being elected as public representatives across the country as well as performing with proper competence in all sectors, including the judiciary, administration, police and defence.
The present advancement of women empowerment is the fruit of Begum Rokeya's dream, the president observed.
At the function, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury and Women and Children Affairs Secretary Tarique-ul-Islam also spoke on the occasion.