Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) celebrated International Women’s Day on Wednesday, two days before the global celebration, highlighting the achievements of women and seeking gender equality.

The discussion convened successful women of different fields including new State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Rumana Ali, this year’s Bangla Academy award-winning writer Shamim Azad, first female boxer Tamanna Haq and spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seheli Sabrin.

DCAB, a 26-year-old association of reporters, also honoured Seheli Sabrin appreciating her role as the spokesperson since the beginning of the foreign ministry’s weekly media briefing last year.

The International Women’s Day on March 8 is themed “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”.

Writer Shamim Azad stressed the need to invest in changing the mindset about women.

Boxer Tamanna Haque said determination is the key to success. “When I first started learning boxing, my relatives used to tell my father ‘What is your daughter doing”... I faced so many negative comments. There was no female coach. But I was determined I’d stay on the field. Now they say you are our inspiration.”

The state minister said sensitivity towards women should be included in the textbooks.“We should inculcate in the tender hearts of children the sense of friendliness, harmony, sensitivity, and respect for women.”

“Investment should be increased for women, this investment will create their financial capacity and through this, women will gain the ability to make decisions,” she said.

“Bangladesh will be a developed country in the world before 2041 if all men and women work shoulder to shoulder without any gender discrimination,” she added.

DCAB President Nurul Islam Hasib presided over the programme conducted by Israt Jahan Urmi, an EC member. General Secretary Ashiqur Rahman Apu delivered the welcome remarks. Former President Angur Nahar Monty also spoke. The Asia Foundation supported the event.