“The role of women is undeniable in the struggles of freedom and all democratic movements including the Language Movement in Bangladesh. Now the participation of women is also visible in the development of Bangladesh,” she said.

The speaker made this remark while addressing a discussion arranged on the premise of Pirganj Awami League office in her parliamentary constituency Rangpur-6 marking the 51st founding anniversary of Bangladesh Mahila Awami League, said a Parliament Secretariat handout here.

Dr Shirin urged all to come forward to enhance the participation of women in the mainstream of economy.

Mentioning that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the pioneer of women empowerment, she said today Bangladesh is a role model for women empowerment in the world.

“A Sonar Bangla will soon be established if the young women come forward to engage themselves in the political and economic activities,” said Dr Shirin.

Pirganj upazila AL Advocate Azizur Rahman Ranga presided over the function, while Rangpur Zila Parishad chairman Adv Safia Khanam, Pirganj Mahila Awami League president Zohra Begum and its general secretary Mahmud Begum, among others, present.

Later, the Speaker spoke at a function arranged for finalising list of women workers under the Rural Employment and Road Maintenance Programme-III of Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) at Pirganj Upazila Parishad auditorium.

Some 150 female workers from all 15 unions of Pirganj upazila were appointed through lottery for the next four years with monthly salary of Tk 7,500 for each.

Dr Shirin distributed wheelchairs among 45 physically challenged people of all 15 unions of Pirganj at a function arranged by Rangpur Zilla Parishad.

Besides, she handed over cheques among unemployed male and female youths under Bangabandhu Youth Loan Programme on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.