PM Sheikh Hasina inaugurates Bangladesh Mohila Samity Complex

"Equal development of men and women is essential for the country's overall development. Side by side, their cultural enlightenment is also crucial to build a progressive, prosperous and liberal society," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the newly constructed Bangladesh Mohila Samity Complex Bhaban at Bailey Road here on Saturday afternoon.

Sheikh Hasina said her government would take initiatives to build a modern theater complex. The government is in search of a suitable place in Dhaka or on the northern side of the Padma Bridge for construction of the theater complex, she said.

Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Welfare Ministry Dr Mozammel Hossain, President of Bangladesh Mohila Samity Sitara Ahsanullah and general secretary of the Samity Tania Bakht also spoke on the occasion while secretary of Social Welfare Ministry Dr Chowdhury Md Babul Hassan was in the chair.

The five-storey complex, constructed at a cost of about Taka 36 crore in cooperation with the Social Welfare Ministry, has two modern auditoriums and a conference room in addition to parking facilities.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh Mohila Samity is a frontrunner organization in the movement for the women. "So, I'm happy to inaugurate the complex for the Samity which is dedicated particularly for the underprivileged women," she said.

Pointing out her longtime association with Mohila Samity, Sheikh Hasina said the Samity is playing a praiseworthy role for development of the women as well as enriching the cultural movement, particularly theater.

The activities of the Samity for the disadvantageous, ignored, underprivileged women and children are notable, she said, calling upon all to work together to build a habitable, developed and culturally enriched Bangladesh for the future.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recalled two former leaders of the Samity -- Dr Nilima Ibrahim and Ivy Rahman, saying they would remain as icons for the future generation for their role in the movement for women's development in the country.

Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman strengthened the foundation of women's rights. Based on that foundation, she said, the country's women are making marks of success whenever they are getting scope.

The Premier highlighted the steps taken by her government for women empowerment, saying her government has to overcome many obstacles to create room for women in all national spheres from the judiciary, administration and security forces to local government.

"Bangladesh women have conquered the Mount Everest and other Summits in the world. So, why would they remain behind in the country, she asked, saying that "every woman can take challenge if she gets opportunity."

"It's a pride for us to have a woman Speaker in the national parliament and president of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), woman deputy leader and woman leader of the opposition in parliament," she said, adding that position of the women has been consolidated everywhere. She urged the women to prepare themselves to establish their rights in the society, family and at national level.

Sheikh Hasina said international community is amazed at the advancement of Bangladesh's women. Their advancement has earned international recognitions one after another, enlightening the country's image abroad, she said.

The Prime Minister said her government has stood beside the distressed women through "social safety network". Various programmes are being implemented across the country for development of women and children, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has adopted the Women Development Policy-2011, increased maternity leave to six months, made the provision of writing mother's name mandatory along with father's name while identifying a person.

The number of reserved seats for women in parliament has been raised to 50 from 30 while 10 percent quota has been kept reserved for the women in the civil service by the present government.

Besides, the government has adopted a 12-year (2013-2025) national work plan to prevent violence against women and enacted the Anti-Dowry Act-2015 in addition to giving priority to the issues of women in all national planning, she said.