Int'l Women's Day being observed
The International Women's Day is being observed in the country, as elsewhere across the globe, on Thursday with a call to help forge a better, inclusive and gender-equal world.
The theme of this year's day is - Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women's lives'.
Echoing the priority theme of the upcoming 62nd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the International Women's Day will also draw attention to the rights and activism of rural women, who make up over a quarter of the world population and majority of the 43 percent of women in the global agricultural labour force, according to the UN.
They till the lands and plant seeds to feed nations, ensure food security for their communities and build climate resilience. Yet, on almost every measure of development, because of deep seated gender inequalities and discrimination, rural women fare worse than rural men or urban women, it said.
Different organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes, including rallies, discussions and cultural events, to mark the day.
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate massages on the occasion.
In his message, the President expressed the hope that all irrespective of males and females will work together to ensure sustainable development of the country.
The Prime Minister in her message urged all to build developed, prosperous Bangladesh ensuring women's participation in all spheres of the national development.
