Dhaka: British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke has expressed the UK’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh in enhancing women’s leadership, economic opportunities, and ensuring their safety and security. In a message commemorating International Women’s Day, Cooke emphasized the UK’s solidarity with Bangladesh in empowering women and girls to participate confidently and influence decisions impacting their futures.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the emphasis on women’s rights was further echoed by UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres. In his message for International Women’s Day, which occurs on March 8, Guterres highlighted the global disparity in legal rights, pointing out that women only enjoy 64 percent of the legal rights afforded to men. He underscored the pervasive legal discrimination affecting women, which can influence all facets of their lives, such as property ownership, divorce, and employment opportunities without male consent. Additionally, he noted the alarming fact that over 40 countries do not recognize marital rape as a crime, underscoring the urgent need for legal reforms.
The focus of International Women’s Day remains on advocating for rights, action, and justice for women and girls worldwide, as highlighted by both UK and UN statements.