‘Motherly affection will win people over’
PM tells Dubai Expo 2020
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said that people will continue to support her due to her motherly affection as a leader of the country.
She made the remark at a high-level power panel titled "Redefining the Future for Women" held at the Women's Pavilion in the Dubai Expo 2020 arranged to mark International Women's Day.
Hasina said she has won the support and trust of her people and that is her main strength. "People know that if I'm there, they'll be benefited."
But this journey was not easy, she said, adding that almost her entire family was assassinated and only she and her sister survived.
The PM said she faced repeated attempts on her life along with smear campaigns. "But I didn't care. All I thought about was continuing my work for the people."
About the Bangladesh parliament with regard to women empowerment, she said now the Speaker, the Leader of the House, the Leader of Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the House are all women.
She said that when she formed the government in 1996 after the 21-year rule of military dictators, she found no women in power,adding that she took initiatives for the development and empowerment of women. She also tried to create job opportunities for them in the higher posts like the judiciary, police and other sectors.
Describing the Father of the Nation as her mentor, the PM said she learned about the country and its problems from him.
"I learned from my father, my mentor. I learned how to harbour compassion and love for the people and the country, as well as how to work for the poor."
UAE President's Diplomatic Adviser Dr Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, UAE State Minister for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimi, UNFPA Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem, WTO Director General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and President and CEO of Cartier International Cyrille Vigneron also spoke at the panel.
Later, Hasina visited the Bangladesh and UAE pavilions at the Dubai Expo 2020 in the Dubai Exhibition Centre.
The PM reached Dubai on Monday on a five-day official visit at the invitation of UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makdoum, who is also the ruler of Dubai.