Staff Reporter: Ambassador Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said Kovid-19 has shaken all levels of society. This has led to a growing economic dilemma around the world, including racism, racial hatred, and hate speech. In order to achieve the goal of ‘no one will be left behind’, the issue of tackling the Covid-19 epidemic must be considered from an overall perspective. She was speaking at a special high-level meeting of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Thursday (February 18) entitled “Existing Inequality: Eliminating Racism, Racial Discrimination and Discrimination for All in the SDG’s Decade of Action”.
She said, ‘Migrant workers are among the most uncertain in the crisis of Covid-19 overcrowding. It is a manifestation of the inequality and inequality that exists in our society. It is very important to create employment and other opportunities for the backward people. While speaking at the event, Ambassador Fatima stated that COVID 19 pandemic has shaken all aspects of human society, which is manifested in the growing economic vulnerabilities, as well as in the rise in racism, xenophobia and hate speech all over the world. “Hence, we must deal with the issue in a holistic manner, in order to achieve our goal of leaving no one behind,” she added. Referring to the commitment of Bangladesh to equality and social justice, the Ambassador highlighted various aspects of Bangladesh’s COVID-19 recovery plan, which placed the most vulnerable section of our society at the center. In addition to 19 stimulus packages that account for 3.7% of our GDP, the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has scaled up resilient social protection systems, with a focus on women, the ultra-poor, informal settlement dwellers, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations.
The Ambassador emphasized that, to address the rising racism and other forms of discrimination, the international community needs to invest in a just and equal health system both at the national and the global level. “… and that can start with universal access to vaccines, for everyone, irrespective of race, status or nationality,” she stated.
She urged to address the underlying root causes of inequalities, including poverty, violence, discrimination and exclusion, as well as lack of education and employment – through the sincere and concerted efforts of all stakeholders. She also highlighted the importance of education, which creates opportunities and help people break the cycle of racism. In this regard, she called for greater attention to the issue of existing digital divide that is keeping many children away from learning during COVID.
Ambassador Fatima stated that social vices like racism cannot be eliminated without addressing gender inequality, which is entrenched in the social norms. Echoing the call of the Secretary General to build a new social contract, founded on inclusivity and sustainability, she stated that ‘we need a new paradigm in our collaborative efforts to address the multidimensional nature of inequality, that exists in our society.’
Organized by the ECOSOC of the UN, the meeting was participated by Ministers and other high-level dignitaries from member states as well as representative from civil society, academia and media.
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