Women's leadership key to SDGs: Shama

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today said empowering women and strengthening their leadership are 
essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building a more inclusive, equitable and resilient Bangladesh.

"Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires strong local leadership and meaningful participation of women in decision-making," she said. 

The state minister made the remarks while addressing as the chief guest at a national dissemination session titled "Building a Model for SDG Localisation: SDG 5 and SDG 16", organised by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Bangladesh at a city hotel.

"Initiatives that empower young women today are laying the foundation for a more inclusive, equitable and resilient Bangladesh tomorrow," Shama said. 

The workshop was organised under the Joint Programme, "Enhancing Women's Political Leadership through SDG 5 and SDG 16 Localisation in Bangladesh," implemented by UNOPS in collaboration with UN Women and Naripokkho with support from the Joint SDG Fund.

The event showcased the outcomes, lessons learned and policy recommendations emerging from the programme's implementation in Dhaka, Chattogram and Rajshahi, highlighting successful models of localising the SDGs through women's political participation and inclusive governance.

Participants also heard experiences from young women leaders, students, mentors and educational institutions that have contributed to promoting women's leadership at the grassroots level.

UNOPS Bangladesh and Bhutan Country Manager Sudhir Muralidharan delivered the welcome address while UN Women Bangladesh Deputy Country Representative 
Navanita Sinha underscored the importance of partnerships in accelerating progress on SDG 5 on gender equality and SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions.

Nasreen Jahan, member (Secretary) of the Socio-Economic Infrastructure Division of the Bangladesh Planning Commission, attended the event as special guest and stressed the need to translate national commitments into local action.

"Localising the Sustainable Development Goals enables national priorities to be reflected in community-level initiatives. Strengthening institutional collaboration and investing in women's leadership are essential to building an inclusive and sustainable future," she said.Maheen Sultan, executive member of Naripokkho, presented the SDG localisation model at the workshop.

Among others, Algerian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdelouahab Saidani, former adviser Farida Akhter and Holy Cross Girls' High School Headmistress Sister Kolpona Costa attended the programme.

The workshop reaffirmed the shared commitment of UNOPS, UN Women, Naripokkho, government institutions and development partners to advancing SDG 
localisation through collaborative partnerships and locally led solutions, ensuring that no one is left behind.