Rajshahi: International Women’s Day was observed in Rajshahi today with a call for ensuring greater participation of women in all sectors to accelerate national development. To mark the day, Paba Upazila administration and the Upazila Women Affairs Office organized an event at the auditorium of Paba Upazila Parishad this morning. Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Sabuj Islam chaired the programme.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, addressing the event as chief guest, Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon, MP emphasized the critical link between the country’s progress and the empowerment of women, who make up nearly half of the population. He highlighted that sustainable national development is unattainable without women’s development and participation across various sectors.
Milon also reflected on the historical struggle for women’s rights, urging families and society to support women’s advancement in education, employment, and leadership. He mentioned the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) reform proposals, which include a 31-point state reform plan aimed at promoting women’s development and empowerment.
He further recounted the initiatives during former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s tenure, such as introducing free education for girls up to the higher secondary level and establishing the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in 1994 to enhance women’s welfare and social protection. Additionally, he shared the party’s future plans to introduce family cards for women, special bus services, and free education for female students up to the postgraduate level.
The event also featured speeches from Upazila Engineer Mokbul Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Airport Police Station Masuma Mostari, Officer-in-Charge of Shah Makhdum Police Station Faruk Hossain, Paba Upazila BNP Convener Ali Hossain, and Member Secretary Abdur Razzaque. A colorful rally was held earlier from the Upazila Parishad premises, leading into the discussion meeting themed “Today’s Steps for Securing Justice for Women and Girls.”