Smart Bangladesh is visionary journey of Sheikh Hasina: State Minister Indira at UN

Noman Sabit: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has recently launched a visionary campaign called ‘Smart Bangladesh’ which targets to bring equality in women’s participation in ICT to support the transition of Bangladesh to a developed country by 2041”-said Women and Children Affairs State Minister Fazilatun Nessa Indira M.P., while speaking at the general debate of the ongoing 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations Headquarters on Thusrday (March 9). Reiterating the commitment of Bangladesh to CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action, State Minister shared that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Government of Bangladesh has undertaken several signature initiatives to empower women, such as the establishment of five thousands digital centers at the grassroot level; establishment of science and technology universities in major districts; technical and vocational institutes across the country; introduction of women-led agent network ‘SATHI’ to facilitate digital financial services for marginalized women; etc. These projects have helped Bangladesh to make remarkable progress towards economic and political empowerment of women. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had been accorded with Global Women’s Leadership Award, Planet 50-50 Champion and Agent of Change Award for her outstanding contribution to the empowerment of women in Bangladesh, she further added. Understanding the need to identify the key barriers to technological innovation and education to achieve gender equality and women empowerment, State Minister urged for enhanced capacity building and technology transfer to bridge gender digital divide. She also called for greater international cooperation to ensure gender equality in the field of ICT. Prior to the general debate, State Minister Fazilatun Nessa Indira had a bilateral meeting with Rina Amiri, the US Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights and attended a reception organized by the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia for the visiting OIC delegations to New York. BP/SM