The state minister for finance has reaffirmed at a global forum that Bangladesh will ensure women rights in all spheres, but “without disturbing its decades-old culture”.
Published : 19 May 2016, 07:28 PM
“We’ll do it on our own. But we don’t want to topple the apple-cart. We’ll maintain our social balance,” MA Mannan told bdnews24.com on Thursday after he represented the ministers’ forum at the Women Deliver conference in Copenhagen.
The largest-ever conference on women and girls’ health, well-being, and rights that has drawn over 5,500 participants, including parliamentarians, will end at the Danish capital on Thursday.
The conference also highlights the sexual and reproductive health and rights of youths and adolescents, a least talked-about issue among Bangladesh’s policy makers.
Mannan, before leaving Copenhagen, told bdnews24.com that during the parliamentarians’ meetings, he highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment and progresses so far made in different aspects.
“We have so many achievements. Nobody could say in the forum that they give six months’ maternity leave with pay. I was able to tell them we are giving that in Bangladesh.
“I told them we want to ensure women’s rights in every aspect. But it’ll take time. It’s a very complex issue. It’s not an emotional issue that I’ll tell you that I’ll do it tomorrow.”
The Women Deliver conference is the first global gathering after the launch of the new sustainable development goals (SDGs) in January this year.
Katja Iversen, CEO of Women Deliver, at a press briefing before the closing ceremony, said they want to see girls and women “at the centre of implementation” of the SDGs. She said they also want countries to invest more in girls and women because “it pays off”.
“Everybody wins when you invest on girls and women.”
She added that looking forward, they wish there were no need to hold Women Deliver conference after 2030 when the SDGs end.
State Minister Mannan told bdnews24.com that resources would not be a problem for Bangladesh. “We are ready to invest in viable and measure projects.”
“We cannot spend public money in just any way. We want to invest in girls and women, but for that we seek ‘viable and measureable’ projects from our partners in Bangladesh,” he said.