United News of Bangladesh

Participants in a campaign on Saturday on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2025, urged the government for expanding renewable energy and increasing women's inclusion in the energy sector. They stressed that to ensure sustainable development, women must have greater decision-making opportunities in the energy sector, and fair access to energy at all levels must be ensured. A number of non-government organisations including ISDE, CLEAN (Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network), and BWGED (Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development) organised the campaign in Chittagong. They also called for women’s empowerment in the power and energy sector, ensuring their energy rights, and recognizing their role as policymakers. The primary objective of this campaign was to ensure 100% renewable energy across the country and establish energy security for women. S M Nazer Hossain, Central Vice President and Executive Director ISDE Bangladesh, said "Women are the largest consumers of energy, as 46% of the total energy used in the country is for household purposes”. International Women's Day arrives with call to 'Accelerate Action' However, due to the continuous rise in electricity prices caused by imported fossil fuels, women are the ones suffering the most, he said. Women activist & CSDF Secretary General Jesmin Sultana Paru said that women are deprived at all levels in the energy sector, from planning to implementation, and from generation to distribution. As women own only 2-4% of the land nationwide, energy project developers exclude them and consider them merely as beneficiaries in the consultation process. Women are viewed as a ‘sensitive issue’ rather than being recognized as active stakeholders and policymakers, she said. CSDF Project Coordinator Shampa K Nahar highlighted the severe challenges faced by women due to fossil fuel-based power plants, saying, "Unlike men, women cannot easily migrate when affected by power plant projects." Women Activist Jannatul Ferdus said that project developers always ignore the special needs of women, particularly reproductive health concerns. Fossil fuel-based power plants, especially coal-fired ones, emit excessive levels of mercury, lead, cadmium, sulfur, and chromium. The campaign activists called on the government to take necessary measures to facilitate easy installation of solar home systems for women. Eminent journalist & Ex President CUJ M Nasirul Hoque, BNP Women Front City Vice President Sayma Haque, Chattogram North district Secretary Laila Yasmin, central executive member of Bangladesh Frozen fruits & Vegetable Exporters Association Md Selim Jahangir, CAB Chawkbazar President Abdul Alim, Women Entrepreneur Farzana Muktadir, Youth activist Partho Sarker, Harisa Khanom Shuki took part in the event.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has emphasised that the current interim government is diligently working towards the goal of building a developed Bangladesh by harnessing the potential and skills of women in productive work. "The women of Bangladesh will advance alongside the developed world to realise the vision of a prosperous Bangladesh. This should be our commitment to their development and empowerment," he said in a message marking International Women’s Day, to be celebrated on March 8. This year’s theme is “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment.” Dr Yunus highlighted the achievements of Bangladeshi women, noting that many girls from the country are making their mark on the international stage, gaining recognition beyond national borders. He also pointed out the numerous initiatives undertaken to honour women’s contributions, such as the Indomitable Women’s Award and the Begum Rokeya Padak. Dr Yunus noted the significant role women played in the mass uprising of July-August last year, where students, workers, and the public rallied for democratic transformation. "Women were at the forefront of this movement," he said. "Many have sacrificed their lives, and I respectfully remember those martyrs and offer my condolences to the July fighters." Dr Yunus acknowledged that women represent half of the country's population and are making strides across various sectors Dhaka Flow's festival celebrating Women's Day provides a much-needed space for wellness The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, he mentioned, is carrying out numerous initiatives to increase women’s participation in all fields, including economic development. These include shelter homes for distressed women, Women’s Support Centers providing legal aid, housing for working women, and microcredit programmes designed to foster self-employment and financial independence. These efforts contribute significantly to women’s social security and economic empowerment, he said. International Women's Day, celebrated worldwide, is a day to recognise women’s achievements irrespective of divisions such as national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political backgrounds. Since its inception, International Women’s Day has evolved into a global event, embraced by women in both developed and developing countries. The movement, reinforced by four United Nations women’s conferences, has helped shape the day into a platform for advocating women’s rights and encouraging their participation in political and economic arenas. Officially recognised by the United Nations in 1977, International Women’s Day traces its roots to the labor movements in North America and Europe at the turn of the twentieth century.

Urging all to stay alert in preventing women from neglect, abuse, or oppression, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday said women empowerment must be a top priority for progress. “Women's rights are a fundamental condition for global advancement in peace, security, human rights, and sustainable development,” he said in a message marking International Women’s Day. Tarique stressed the importance of safeguarding women from neglect and repression, and ensuring they are not deprived of their fundamental rights. He also expressed his best wishes for the success of this year’s theme for International Women’s Day: “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” In the message on International Women's Day, the BNP Acting Chairman called upon all to work sincerely towards the development and welfare of women. He also wished success of this year’s theme for International Women's Day, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”. Tarique said International Women's Day is a day of profound significance, highlighting the economic, political, and social contributions of women globally. “This day fosters awareness and encourages respect for women’s rights.” In Bangladesh, he said, the importance of this day is immense as half of its population is women. “So, if the progress of women's is achieved, the overall development of the nation will be possible. Realising this truth, martyr President Ziaur Rahman took groundbreaking steps to ensure greater participation of women in social and state activities. Continuing this legacy, Tarique said former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia implemented a range of initiatives aimed at advancing the socio-economic status of women and promoting education for all. Tarique Rahman urges Ulema to consider unified Ramadan, Eid observance During her tenures, he said, Khaleda Zia’s government made significant strides in the education sector for women. “The enrollment rate in primary schools increased to 97%. Female students were brought under scholarship schemes, and gender equality in schools was established. Two new cadet colleges and three polytechnic institutes were opened for girls, and with US support, the Asia University for Women was established in Chattogram,” the BNP leader mentioned. He said Khaleda Zia established a national university and an open university and approved private universities and medical colleges to encourage higher education, expanding opportunities for higher education for women. Tarique also said Khaleda introduced a unique programme to promote education at the primary level, ensuring that education became mandatory across the country. On July 1, 1993, he said primary education was made compulsory, and a Food-for-Education programme was launched to encourage the poor to seek education. Besides, the BNP leader said secondary education for girls in rural areas became free, and a nationwide scholarship programme for female students in secondary schools was introduced. “These initiatives provided women with a platform for empowerment and integration into the mainstream development process, which ultimately sparked self-confidence among them and paved the way for economic independence,” he observed. At the same time, Tarique said, women find a way to become economically self-reliant. “With women's education, training, and equal opportunities to compete with men, the progress of society and the development of the state accelerate. We must work together to ensure the strong presence of women in all activities in the changing world,” he said.