Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain has called for strengthening mutual cooperation among the Islamic Ummah to build an inclusive humanitarian society through women's advancement. He made this call while addressing the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The minister emphasized that women's advancement is crucial for the collective prosperity of the Muslim Ummah. He highlighted Bangladesh's progress in women's development, noting the country's recognition as a pioneer in Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB), which is implemented across 62 ministries and divisions.
Hossain pointed out that Bangladesh has achieved gender parity in education from primary to higher levels and offers free education up to the undergraduate level. The government also plans to make education free up to the postgraduate level and provide free uniforms for primary school children starting next year.
The minister mentioned that maternal mortality rates have been reduced to 136 per 100,000 live births and that efforts are underway to include women from poor families in the Family Card programme to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 10. Vocational training and start-up capital are being provided to marginalized women to enhance their economic participation.
Hossain called for a renewed commitment to further strengthening the OIC's efforts for the advancement of women across the Muslim Ummah. On the sidelines of the conference, he held bilateral meetings with several high-ranking officials from OIC member states to discuss collaboration and mutual support.
