Dhaka:Prime Minister's Education Adviser and Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, Mahdi Amin, emphasized that ensuring the financial well-being and economic self-reliance of grassroots and marginalized women is a top priority for the government. He highlighted the rapid implementation of the Family Card programme as part of this initiative.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the government has set a target to distribute Family Cards to 41 lakh women during the current fiscal year. Amin shared this information while speaking at the National Summit on Young Women's Empowerment held at a hotel in the capital. The event was chaired by Save the Children, Bangladesh Country Director, A S M Rahmat Ullah Bhuiyan, and attended by other notable figures such as UNICEF Chief of Education Deepa Shankar and Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Mahfuzul Alam Khan.
Amin stressed the importance of equipping women from various societal sections with quality education and modern skills to enhance their capabilities. He called for collaboration between the government and development partners to create platforms for the development of young people and women's talents.
Highlighting Bangladesh's demographic dividend, he noted that women make up more than 50 percent of the population, emphasizing their importance in reflecting the country's image. Amin also discussed the Prime Minister's personal commitment to women's empowerment, reflected in various governance policies.
Recalling historical progress, Amin mentioned the establishment of the Ministry of Women's Affairs and the garment industry's role in women's economic empowerment under Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. He also acknowledged former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's contribution by introducing free education for girls up to Class XII and the current government's expansion of this initiative to the undergraduate level.
Amin outlined government efforts to improve education, such as introducing new textbooks and making sports compulsory from the primary level. He mentioned the 'Notun Kuri Sports' programme and a football tournament involving students from Class I to Class V, aiming to increase primary school attendance through initiatives like the midday meal programme and free uniforms.
To move away from conventional education systems, Amin highlighted the introduction of modern technical courses and language training to expand overseas employment opportunities. He also discussed plans to provide advanced training for women in nursing and caregiving to create dignified employment opportunities internationally.
Amin concluded by emphasizing the provision of low-interest loans, seed funding, and government grants to encourage women entrepreneurs, underscoring the government's collaboration with the private sector and development partners to build an inclusive and discrimination-free Bangladesh.