Economy
Int. Women’s day Today
International Women’s Day will be observed on Wednesday (8th March) across the country as elsewhere in the world with the theme ‘Digit ALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’.
Different women, social and political organisations have taken separate programmes to observe International Women’s Day.
On the evening of the day, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday issued separate messages, greeting all women across the world.
Marking the day, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs will organise a procession at 2:30 pm on Wednesday.
The procession will start from the central Shaheed Minar and end on the Bangladesh Shishu Academy premises.
According to the ministry, the seminar scheduled for this year will be held later as Wednesday is a public holiday on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Barat.
Processions, rallies and cultural programs will be held under the arrangement of the Jatiya Morcha Samajik Protirodh Committee at Central Shaheed Minar around 2.30 pm on March 9.
Health and Hope Hospital will arrange a discussion on ‘Breast and Cervical Cancer’ around 11:30 am in the city’s Panthapath area on Wednesday.
The National Press Club (NPC) will hold a special discussion at Jahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall on JPC premises at 3 pm on March 9.
The Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) has taken various programmes throughout the day.
The programmes include holding a procession at 10 am on Wednesday, unveiling of the annual Women’s Day compilation or souvenir ‘Konthoshor’ and organizing a discussion at 11 am.
The Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendro and Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum will arrange a procession along with a discussion on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
The discussion titled ‘Projukti O Udvabonitey Somvabonar Bangladesh Gori, Nari-Purusher Somota, Samprity O Souhardo Bojay Rakhi’ will be held on JPC premises at 10 am on March 9.
Besides, the well-known theatre troupe ‘Swapnadal’ will stage a play named ‘Helen Keller’ at 7pm at Studio Theater Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Wednesday.
Swapnadal will also honour actor and theatre activist Jayita Mahalanobish with ‘International Women’s Day Sanmanana 2023’ for her contributions to theatre.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year.
After the Socialist Party of America organised a Women’s Day on February 28, 1909 in New York, the 1910 International Socialist Women’s Conference suggested a Women’s Day to be held annually.
After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917, March 8 became a national holiday there.
The day was then predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it was adopted in 1975 by the United Nations.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
