Prime Minister's Adviser for the Ministries of Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has called for stronger cooperation from UN Women to protect and empower women and girls in Bangladesh amid the growing challenges posed by global conflicts, economic instability, energy insecurity and supply chain disruptions.
Meeting with UN Women Deputy Executive Director
During a meeting with UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women Deputy Executive Director Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Titumir highlighted the significant pressures Bangladesh faces, including hosting more than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees. He stressed the need for greater UN Women engagement to support the early repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar and ensure their safety, dignity, and access to sustainable livelihoods upon return.
Impacts of Global Crises
Titumir noted that the global crises have constrained Bangladesh's fiscal space and limited access to grants and concessional financing. He underscored the need for expanded UN Women support to strengthen the protection and empowerment of women and girls and reinforce inclusive social protection programmes.
Bangladesh's Women-Centred Development Agenda
The adviser outlined key initiatives under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership, including the Family Card, free education for girls up to the postgraduate level, expanded reproductive and mental health services, and the planned universal life-cycle-based social protection system. Gumbonzvanda commended Bangladesh's progress in advancing gender equality and praised the Family Card initiative as innovative.
UN Women's Continued Partnership
Gumbonzvanda reaffirmed UN Women's commitment to continued partnership with Bangladesh in promoting gender equality, women's economic empowerment, social protection, the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and efforts to address the Rohingya crisis.
