Dhaka: Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today urged the leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal to emphasize government initiatives aimed at empowering women through education and financial self-reliance. Speaking at a rally inaugurating a procession at Nayapaltan, marking the 48th founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, Rizvi highlighted the journey and achievements of the organization.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizvi, also the political adviser to the prime minister, acknowledged the struggles faced by Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal to reach its current standing. He praised the competence of leaders at various levels and affirmed that women are equally capable of leading the state or any institution. Rizvi noted that under the current BNP government, citizens enjoy freedom of expression and movement, contrasting it with past incidents of female leaders facing imprisonment and torture.
Rizvi emphasized the government's social safety net initiatives, particularly the introduction of 'Family Cards' for women from impoverished backgrounds, as a significant step towards women's empowerment. He urged leaders to communicate these government contributions to the public, especially concerning social safety.
Addressing violence against women and children, Rizvi cited the reduction in such incidents as a sign of social development. He expressed the commitment of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal to eradicating all forms of violence and abuse, asserting the government's dedication to ensuring women's civic rights and legal protection.
Highlighting the role of education in women's empowerment, Rizvi recalled the late former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's initiative to make women's education free up to the intermediate level. He also mentioned the pledge by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to extend free education for girls up to degree and honours levels, describing it as a step towards empowering women.
Rizvi called on Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal to actively promote and implement these empowerment programmes, urging them to work with the same resilience they demonstrated in the past. The rally was attended by the President of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, Afroza Abbas, General Secretary Sultana Ahmed, and other leaders and activists.