Dhaka, Mar 8 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been conferred with the ‘Lifetime Contribution for Women Empowerment Award’ on the occasion of the International Women’s Day.

Institute of South Asian Women (ISAW) on Thursday handed over the award at City Cube-ITB in Berlin, Germany.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Germany Imtiaz Ahmed received the award on behalf of the Prime Minister from Dr Talib Rifai, former Secretary General of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Md Mahbub Ali, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism of Bangladesh, was also present during the award giving ceremony, according to Bangladesh Embassy in Berlin.

ISAW conferred the award to  Prime Minister Hasina as a dynamic leader of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) who has immensely contributed throughout her life towards gender equality, women and girls’ empowerment of this region.

ISAW is a New Delhi-based institute, having members from all SAARC countries, committed to works, with the belief of gender equality, for the common issues and empowerment of affected women and girls of its region, has been honouring different categories women achievers since its inception in 2012.

Keraniganj, Mar 8 (UNB) - A woman riding pillion with her husband died moments after their motorcycle crashed into a speeding truck in Dakpara area here on Friday night.

The deceased was identified as Joyeeta Tasnia, 24, wife of Md Wahed of Chawkbazar area in the city.

The accident took place when a speeding truck hit their motorcycle around 10 pm while they were returning home, leaving her dead on the spot, said Sub-inspector Rafiqul Islam of Keraniganj Model Police Station.

On information, police seized the truck, he said adding that the body was sent to Mitford Hospital for autopsy.

Dhaka, Mar 8 (UNB): Bangladesh’s first app-based bicycle service has taken special initiative for teaching girls to ride bicycle to inspire women in the traditional system of transportation.

Hundreds of female students of three public universities - Jahangirnagar University, Chittagong University and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology -- took part in special campaigns on the respective campuses on Friday marking the International Women’s Day, according a handout of Jobike.

Jobike is a mobile application-based bicycle service which introduced artificial intelligence as first of its kind in the transportation mode in the country.

To avail the service, users have to download Jobike from app store first and then open account using relevant information.

Officials claimed that the theme of International Women’s Day – Balance for Better – is very relevant to Jobike as the term ‘balance’ is basic of the cycling.

Jobike founder and Chief Executive Mehedi Reza said, “We learn balancing when rides cycle. Jobike believes anyone can contribute for establishing equality in society by maintaining balance in every steps in life, is family and in workplaces.”

Mehedi said the bicycle sharing service has already gained popularity across the world and Jobike made happen it in Bangladesh due to rapid development in technology sector is recent times.

Earlier in June 18 last year, Jobike started its journey as country’s first bicycle service with a test run in Cox’s Bazar while made campus launching in Jahangirnagar University and Chittagong University last year. The service hit Dhaka streets in early January this year through Mirpur DOHS operations.

Its’ may mention that the firm also provided the app-based service at zero charge in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar as a part-of its social corporate responsibility.

 Dhaka, Mar 8 (UNB) – Speakers at a programme here on Friday urged the government and media houses to ensure equal rights for women journalists in their workplaces. 
 
They also demanded that the workplaces be free of gender discrimination, especially for women.
 
The call and demand came at an award-distribution ceremony and discussion titled 'Gender Equality in Mass Media: Bangladesh Perspective' arranged by the Jatiya Press Club at its Jahur Ahmed Chowdhury auditorium.
 
Two of the prominent names among the female journalists of Bangladesh -- Setara Musa, wife of noted journalist ABM Musa, and Mahbuba Chowdhury, editor of the Dainik Manabzamin -- were honoured at the programme for their contributions to journalism.
 
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury inaugurated the event while noted journalist Rita Bhowmik presented an article pointing out problems and discriminations faced by female journalists of the country.
 
“Women journalists are rarely considered for timely promotion although they deserve it,” she said.
 
In her speech as the chief guest, Speaker Shirin Sharmin said Bangladesh is a role model of women empowerment in the world. “The equality between men and women is an important factor in every sector,” she said.
 
The Speaker lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for ensuring greater opportunities for women in all the sectors. 
 
“The government will consider implementing a set of regulations for proper promotion for women journalists at their workplaces,” she said.
 
Jatiya Press Club President Saiful Alam expressed his satisfaction at the matter that the spirit of the International Women's Day is not confined to seminars and discussions anymore.
 
He also underscored the need for a state-level vision for the progress of women.
 
In her speech, Jatiya Press Club General Secretary Farida Yasmin said the joint efforts of men and women will carry the country forward.
 
Television journalist Shahnaz Munni expressed concern over the current ratio of females and males in media houses which she said is only 10 percent according to a study.
 
“Many of the women who take up journalism as a profession can’t continue it because of social and corporate barriers,” she added. 
 
Bangladesh Nari Shangbadik Kendra (BNSK) President Nasimun Ara Haque Minu mentioned that at least 30 percent of women should be recruited in all media houses.
 
Bangladesh Women Journalist Forum President Mamtaj Bilkis, Dainik Ittefaq Editor Tasmima Hossain and Dainik Manabzamin Editor Mahbuba Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion. 

Dhaka, Mar 8 (UNB) - The European Union (EU) and UN Women on Friday jointly launched a three-year WeEmpower Asia programme to encourage the private sector to expand economic participation and business opportunities for women in seven Asian countries.

Funded by the EU, UN Women will implement the €8 million programme in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, aiming to integrate gender concerns into business practices in the region. 

WeEmpower Asia will promote dialogue among women’s groups and the public and private sector so as to enable a business environment that empowers women; provide skills training for female entrepreneurs to engage with businesses, policy-makers and decision-makers; and support companies to adopt the Women’s Empowerment Principles. 

EU Principal Advisor on Gender Ambassador Mara Marinaki said women’s economic empowerment is a pre-requisite for inclusive and equitable economic growth, according a UN Women press release received from Bangkok, Thailand.

Marinaki said it can drive gender equality outcomes and broader intergenerational benefits for women, their children, households and communities. 

“Women who are economically empowered have greater access to income and economic assets, better control over their own economic gains and more equitable decision-making power to translate these gains into social, economic, and health benefits for themselves, their families and their societies,” Marinaki stated. 

UN Women’s acting Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Anna-Karin Jatfors said women make crucial contributions to the region’s economies. 

“WeEmpower Asia will create transformative partnerships between private sector companies, female entrepreneurs and women-led businesses, and policymakers to drive social change. It will benefit not only women, but also societies and economies as a whole.” 

The EU and UN Women have already joined hands working closely on women's economic empowerment in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as at G7 level under two other programmes that are being implemented simultaneously: Win-Win -- Gender equality means good businessand WeEmpower -- Promoting economic empowerment of women at work through responsible business conduct. 

These programmes and WeEmpower Asia launched are concrete examples of EU's commitment to gender equality and respond to an increasingly global movement that urges companies, suppliers and consumers to work together to strengthen the voice and participation of women at work.