By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka, Bangladesh : Education Adviser of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman y said advancement of women could not be possible without the assistance of their counterparts.
“Cooperation of men is very much needed to ensure progress of the women,” he said while addressing as the chief guest the inaugural session of the two-day South Asian Soroptimist Conference at the Spectra Convention Centre at Gulshan in the city on Friday.
Soroptimist International Club of Dhaka has arranged the conference as part of its silver jubilee celebration.
Women and Children Affairs Secretary Rokeya Sultana and President of Federation of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland Dr Margeurite Woodstock-Riley were present at the function as the special guest and the guest of honour.
With President of Soroptimist International Club of Dhaka Dr Arifa Rahman in the chair, the function was addressed by Justice Majida Razvi of Pakistan and Kamala Prasad of India.
Professor Dr Dilara Chowdhury of Jahangirnagar University presented the keynote paper.
Dr Hossain Zillur said women are playing an important role in the development of the country’s education and economy.
“Revolution of women personalities took place in the country and we will have to go ahead further with them,” he added.
The adviser said, “The core aspirations of our independence were to change the lot of women and we became successful to a great extent in this regard.”
Referring to the current Beijing Olympics, he underscored the need for physical capability of women to take the country further ahead.
Dr Hossain Zillur thanked the Soroptimist International Club of Dhaka for arranging the conference, saying that it would certainly open up a new horizon in the country in terms of the development of women.
Women and Children Affairs Secretary Rokeya Sultana lauded the activities of the club and called upon its leaders to enhance support service for women.
She assured that her ministry is ready to extend allout assistance to the club.
Dr Margeurite Woodstock-Riley said women empowerment is a prerequisite for the development of any country.
Stressing the need for gender equality, she said without involving the men, development of women could not be ensured.
In her keynote paper, Dr Dilara Sultana said 50 percent women of the country are the victims of domestic violence and many women fall prey to the trafficking.
She called upon the concerned authorities to take necessary measures in this regard.
Despite limitations, Dr Dilara said, women of the country have achieved remarkable success in different sectors, including education.
Dr Arifa Rahman in her speech highlighted the activities of the club and sought cooperation of all to help take the club to its desired position.