TBM Report
During the International Women’s Day 2026 celebrations, President Md. Sahabuddin underscored the historic role of late President Ziaur Rahman as the pioneer of women’s empowerment in Bangladesh. The President noted that by establishing the first women’s affairs desk in 1976 and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in 1978, Ziaur Rahman laid a definitive foundation for gender equality within the state structure. This institutional beginning, according to the President, was the catalyst that brought Bangladeshi women from the periphery into the heart of national governance and development.
President Sahabuddin further highlighted how Begum Khaleda Zia strengthened and modernized this legacy during her tenure. He credited her with transforming the sector into the modern Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. Her revolutionary educational reforms—making primary education compulsory, offering free education for girls up to class 12, and introducing stipends—were particularly praised. The President reminded the audience that these initiatives earned international acclaim, with organizations like the World Bank recognizing them as a successful model for developing nations, fundamentally altering the socio-economic status of women in the country.
Turning to the contemporary era, the President commended the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for prioritizing women’s progress. He shared the government’s ambitious plans to provide free education for women up to the postgraduate level, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder academic excellence. A major highlight of his speech was the announcement of the “Family Card” program, set to launch on March 10. This initiative is designed to provide economic stability to underprivileged women, marking a new chapter in the country’s social safety net programs tailored specifically for gender-based empowerment.
In his concluding remarks, President Sahabuddin emphasized that national prosperity is an impossible dream without the active participation of women, who constitute more than half of the population. Quoting the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, he stated that women have contributed equally to all great achievements of humanity. By honoring “Indomitable Women” and implementing forward-thinking policies, the President expressed his optimism that Bangladesh is on the right path toward creating a society where women are not just beneficiaries of development but equal partners in leading the nation forward.
