Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a high-level discussion in New York has put emphasis on three actions in a bid to advance the women empowerment as a tool for development.
The three actions are: work for overcoming gender stereotypes regarding women’s ability; enhance women’s productivity by addressing challenges specific to women, including violence against women; and create equal opportunities for women in all sectors of life and livelihoods with gender responsive policy intervention.
The prime minister came with the suggestion while delivering her statement at the discussion on ‘Economic Growth through Women Empowerment’ at the Conference Room-3 of the United Nations Headquarters here on Thursday afternoon local time.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was present at the event hosted by President of Lithuania and also Chair of the Council of Women Leaders Dalia Grybauskaite.
“We’ve learned from our experience that economy gains significantly from empowerment of women. Greater gender equality reflects better education and health system, higher per capita income, faster economic growth, and greater competitiveness,” the prime minister said.
Mentioning that a large number of them are unemployed, she said about 50 per cent women aged 15 and above are employed globally, compared to about 75 per cent men. Moreover, she said, women earn 10-30 per cent less than men for the same work.
The prime minister said a study of McKinsey Global Institute suggests that closing gender gaps in labour market would add 12-25 per cent to global GDP by 2025, BSS reports.
She said realisation of ‘leaving no one behind’ is contingent upon gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. “Despite our commitments and efforts, gender gaps around the world remain large, pervasive and persistent.
About women empowerment in Bangladesh, she said, the government has given importance to various programmes and policies specially targeted for women that have not only put impacts on women’s economic empowerment but also reinforced their status in the society.
Sheikh Hasina said in Bangladesh, women’s empowerment has been identified as the most significant determinant of the outstanding economic progress of the country. “Our aim is to focus on decreasing the gender gap in targeted sectors like education, employment, business and policy making,” she added.
The prime minister said there are 72 women members in the current Parliament of Bangladesh, while the Speaker, the leader and the deputy leader of the House and the leader of the opposition all are women.
Citing the World Economic Forum’s 2018 report, she said Bangladesh is Asia’s second most gender equal country.
Sheikh Hasina said women are receiving education free of cost in public institutions up to class twelve and they are also provided with easy access to ‘microsavings’.
“Currently, there are 20 million women employed in the agriculture, service and industrial sector. Women are holding high positions in judiciary and administration. Bangladeshi women are making history in the United Nations peacekeeping operations,” she added.