Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Chairperson Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Wednesday called for ensuring gender parity to make development activities sustainable and inclusive.
“Women rights are essential to ensure equal rights in society,” she said speaking as a resource person at the 26th Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar in the city.
The three-day seminar began at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on May 18 with the theme ‘Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy’. Speaker Shirin Sharmin formally inaugurated the seminar on that day.
On the third day of the seminar today, the speaker addressed the 9th session on ‘Parliament, Gender and Human Rights’.
Singapore Parliament Member Li Biow Chuan also took part in the seminar as another resource person. Margaret Mcculloch of Scotland was in the chair, said an official release.
The speaker said development of women is essential for poverty eradication and empowerment of women is needed for sustainable development.
“Development of women needs their financial empowerment,” she said adding that for this, women need education, training and employment.
The speaker suggested involving women in trade and commerce and all economic activities for their empowerment.
She said all barriers to the creation of women leadership should be removed for political empowerment of women.
“All disparities towards women would have to be removed. The attitude of political parties will have to be changed for political empowerment of women,” she added.
Earlier, South African Parliament Member Lindiwe Masko presided over the
eighth session of the seminar on HIV/AIDS.
Bangladesh Parliament Member Dr. M. Enamur Rahman and Kenyan Parliament
Member Moses Wetangula addressed the session as resource persons.
Besides from Bangladesh, 35 MPs and representatives from 17 countries are
taking part in the seminar.
