Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership, Ambassador of Finland to Bangladesh with residence in New Delhi Ritva Koukku-Ronde termed Bangladesh a global role model in many aspects, including women’s empowerment and gender equality. She also lauded the socio-economic advancements taking place in Bangladesh. The ambassador had a farewell meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam at the latter’s office on Tuesday and discussed issues of mutual interest. The state minister thanked the Finnish ambassador for her efforts and contributions in further strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Finland. Also Read: Erdogan hints Turkey may ratify Finland's NATO membership He briefed the Finnish ambassador on the steady socio-economic development of Bangladesh over the last 14 years under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The state minister also touched upon Bangladesh’s achievements in green RMG factories, solar home systems and women’s increased participation in the workforce, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Also Read: Finland’s Parliament gives final approval for NATO bid The two sides also discussed various other bilateral and international issues of mutual interest and concern, including renewable energy and waste to energy, digital technology and cybersecurity, shipbuilding and ship-recycling, bio-based material development, climate change, food and energy security, Rohingya crisis, war in Ukraine and cooperation in international fora.    

World Bank Managing Director of Operations Axel van Trotsenburg will arrive in Dhaka Saturday on his first official visit to Bangladesh. During his three-day visit, Axel will join a public event in Dhaka on January 22 to mark 50 years of the partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank Group and celebrate the country's "remarkable" development achievements, said a media statement. "Bangladesh has shown the world what can be done to dramatically reduce poverty through successful innovations in human development, women’s empowerment, and climate adaptation," Axel said. Read more: Bangladesh wants low-interest loan from World Bank amid economic woes "The World Bank is proud of its 50-year partnership with Bangladesh and being part of the country's remarkable development journey. I look forward to my visit and to seeing these achievements firsthand." Axel will meet with the prime minister, finance minister, senior government officials, civil society representatives, and development partners, and visit the World Bank-supported projects. World Bank to provide US$300 million to help Bangladesh’s pandemic responseHe will be accompanied by Martin Raiser, World Bank vice-president for South Asia. Read more: 

The renowned US news outlet Washington Post has lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her bold leadership on the global stage alongside Bangladesh’s impressive progress in women’s empowerment and achievements in education and poverty reduction. In a refreshing approach, it has also provided glimpses of Sheikh Hasina’s lighter side. The Washington Post article was published yesterday and written by Petula Dvorak — a columnist for the newspaper. The article mentions that the PM celebrated her 76th birthday with her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and her 16-year-old granddaughter, who live in a suburb just outside Washington DC. Read From the Editor-in-Chief: In the pantheon of leaders, Sheikh Hasina stands taller each year “I cook for them,” Hasina said. “Chicken biryani … At my son’s house, I have my own kitchen that’s just for me.” Dvorak interviewed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ritz-Carlton in north Virginia, where she was staying after attending the UNGA in New York. Highlighting the Bangladesh PM’s success stories, Dvorak wrote, Sheikh Hasina is the longest-serving female head of government in the world. The article said, the Prime Minister is leading a nation with more people than Russia and survived at least 20 assassination attempts, including a particularly bloody grenade attack in 2004. Read Chinese Minister Liu greets Hasina on her 76th birthday Referring to a man named Abdullah Niami, the writer said, he raised his 6-year-old daughter Zoya up high as he wanted her to see Sheikh Hasina — a female head of government which “America won’t see anytime soon”. The article also highlighted that Sheikh Hasina is upholding the legacy of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu, as the nation’s Prime Minister for four terms, totaling 18 years so far. At the UN General Assembly, it said, the Prime Minister asked for help with accommodating more than a million Rohingya refugees who fled the violence in Myanmar and settled in Bangladesh camps. Dvorak quoted Sheikh Hasina as saying that camp life is not good and the Rohingyas want to return to their country. Read Hasina and Friends: Interactive gaming platform to educate children Her nation’s migrant situation cannot be compared with America’s, she said, adding that the United States is a vast country with lots of land and opportunities to work. Sheikh Hasina said, Bangladesh ranks as No. 8 in the world in terms of population, with more than 171 million people, but its size is close to that of Wisconsin in the US. The article also highly appreciated the Sheikh Hasina government’s zero-tolerance approach to domestic terrorism. The writer pointed out the “Despite Being a Women” meme featuring Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Read PM Hasina reaches London on the way back home In response, the PM laughingly noted: sometimes “women are better than men”. “Being a woman”, the Prime Minister said, she understands the struggles related to poverty in Bangladesh, the obstacles that most women face, and how their non-inclusion stalls a nation’s progress. In the past decade, her government significantly reduced poverty in the country, expanded educational opportunities and improved housing, she said. The Petula Dvorak's article quoted the World Bank that gives high marks for growth in Bangladesh under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, noting it went from “being one of the poorest nations at birth in 1971” to reaching “lower-middle income status in 2015.” Read Sheikh Hasina: A legend in her own lifetime

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatunnessa Indira on Wednesday said that both media and people from all walks of life have to work together to change the status quo and realize a women-friendly society.