Bangladesh seeks stronger UN Women support for women’s empowerment, Rohingya response
Bangladesh has urged UN Women to strengthen collaboration to advance women's economic empowerment, build climate resilience, and promote the Women, Peace and Security agenda, while also seeking increased support for Rohingya women and girls amid persistent funding gaps.
The call came during a New York meeting between Shama Obaed Islam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Sima Bahous, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women.
Shama Obaed Islam highlighted former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's introduction of free education for girls and emphasised the government's ongoing initiatives to empower women, including free education up to the postgraduate level and expanded reproductive and mental health services.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Sima Bahous commended Bangladesh's progress on women's empowerment and gender equality, congratulated the country on the election of its foreign minister as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, and reiterated UN Women's commitment to deepening cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh on women's empowerment and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
She also praised the contributions of Bangladeshi women to peacebuilding and United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Addressing the Rohingya crisis, Shama Obaed Islam voiced concern over funding shortages affecting Rohingya women and girls, stressing that repatriation to Myanmar remains the only sustainable solution for lasting resolution.
