Bangladesh seeks stronger UN Women support for women's empowerment
Peacebuilding, climate resilience and Rohingya funding gaps discussed
Bangladesh has called for deeper cooperation with UN Women to advance women's economic empowerment, climate resilience and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam made the call during a meeting with UN Women Executive Director and Under-Secretary-General Sima Bahous in New York, according to a foreign ministry press release issued yesterday (19 June).
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During the meeting, the state minister recalled former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia's introduction of free education for girls.
She said the government has continued efforts to empower women through free education up to the postgraduate level and better reproductive and mental healthcare.
Bahous praised Bangladesh's efforts to advance women's empowerment and gender equality, the release said.
She also congratulated Bangladesh on its election as president of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and said UN Women is ready to strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh on women's empowerment and the WPS agenda.
Bahous also noted the contribution of Bangladeshi women to peacebuilding and UN peacekeeping operations.
On the Rohingya crisis, the state minister expressed concern over funding shortages affecting Rohingya women and girls.
She reiterated Bangladesh's position that the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar remains the only sustainable solution to the crisis.
