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Published : 22 Sep 2016, 12:02 PM
The awards were handed over to her on Wednesday at an event attended by who's who of several states, the UN and other top international agencies at the UN plaza in New York.
In her acceptance speech, Hasina said, "I feel humbled by these recognition ... I thank UN-Women and Global Partnership Forum for giving me this honour."
She said that the award was recognition to all the women of Bangladesh as true agents of change.
"This is a recognition for our women working in equal partnership with our men . . . I dedicate these awards to the people of Bangladesh for having faith in my vision for change," she said while recalling the memory of her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for raising her with that vision.
"I believe sustainable future of our planet is a shared responsibility of our women and men. We've arrived at a time in our history when gender equality is no longer an aspiration, but a real possibility everywhere," She said.
The prime minister said that the path to women's empowerment has not been easy, and would not always be smooth.
"But, we must forge ahead with courage and determination," Sheikh Hasina said that the cross-cutting gender agenda in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will give impetus to the development efforts.
"I dream of a world where women's rights will be respected by all, where all forms of violence and discriminations against women will be things of the past."
The prime minister also extended her gratefulness to the country's women and men for giving proof of Bangladesh's commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
"On their behalf, I reaffirm our pledge to implement the SDGs, with gender equality at the core," she said.
President of the Republic of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca and First Lady of the United Nations Ban Soon-taek were also given 'Planet 50-50 Champion' and 'Agent of Change Award' along with the Bangladesh premier.
