Dhaka: Mentioning that Bangladesh’s women have proved that they can achieve any success like their male counterpart, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the country will move faster towards prosperity if men and women can work together.

‘The prosperity of a country is a must if men and women can work there together. Our aim is to make the country prosperous and poverty-free one,’ she said.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing the inaugural function of the International Women’s Day at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs arranged the function with State Minister Meher Afroz Chumki in the chair.

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Mia Seppo was present at the function as a special guest. Women and Children Affairs Secretary Nasima Begum delivered the welcome address.

Sheikh Hasina said if women are left behind in a society that cannot stand up with dignity.

‘To make that happen, we’re working to give them proper scope in all spheres of life for flourishing their merits and talents,’ she said.

The Prime Minister said the women of the country have already proved themselves which cannot be done by women in many developed and civilised countries of the world. ‘Bangladesh women have showed they can,’ she added.

She urged the country’s women folk to take their every step with confidence and dignity. ‘You must perform your responsibility towards your respective families, too,’ she said.

Hasina said her government took every step to provide education for each children of the country. ‘They’ll grow up with all human qualities, move in the world arena with dignity, compete with others coping with the pace of the world.’

Laying emphasis on greater participation of women in politics for women empowerment, the prime minister said the trend of participation of women in politics has increased to a great extent due to initiatives of the present government.

Currently, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the House, the opposition leader, the Deputy Leader of the House and a Whip in Bangladesh are women.

She said 30 per cent seats in local government bodies like union and upazila parishads, municipalities and city corporations have been kept reserved for women.

Hasina also stressed the need for developing women leadership from the grassroots level.

Referring to formation of some development committees in the union and upazila parishads with women being the chairpersons, Sheikh Hasina said women are playing an important role in decision making while they are working to utilise the opportunities there.

Recalling to the role of the Father of the Nation in upholding the dignity of women, Hasina said Bangabandhu ensured their equal rights in all spheres of life.