Statement by H.E. Mr. Masud Bin Momen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations at the Second Regular Session 2018 of the Executive Board of UN-WOMEN New York, 10 September, 2018
Thank you, Madam President
01. At the outset we like to thank the Executive Director Madam Phumzile for the statement delivered today providing an overview of the progress, priorities and challenges of UNWOMEN in successfully addressing the core issues of the women and girl population across the world. We thank her colleagues for their presentations and briefings. We are encouraged to learn the good news shared. At the same time, we are concerned about the issues of predictability and its possible adverse effects on program activities.
02. Securing recognition about the centrality of gender equality and empowerment of women in development by the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement are major achievements. However, women and girl’s agenda will not be addressed properly if commitments made in these agreements are not fully realized. Women’s ownership and control over resources, gaps in equal opportunity, discriminatory laws and policies, negative social norms, gender-based violence, limited access to universal health-care and education, unequal pay and social recognition are prevalent particularly in least developed countries. Rural women and girls, especially in LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS are disproportionately affected by the adverse impacts of climate change, extreme weather events and natural disasters. Vulnerabilities to women and children caused by war, conflicts, forced displacements has increased across the world and in many cases basic human rights are being violated.
Madam President
03. With its impressive advancement in gender parity, women, girl and children related indicators, Bangladesh firmly believes that visionary leadership, prudent policies and effective partnership are the key to success for countries to take forward women’s agenda. Bangladesh is leading in gender mainstreaming by example under the leadership of Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina and her contributions in this regard earned her several prizes by different global development organizations including “Planet 50-50 Champion” award by the UN-Women.
04. Our importance on women, girl and children issues are mainstreamed in national and global development strategies through Five-Year Plans, Vision-2021, Vision-2041 and 2030 Agenda. National Women Development Policy, National Children Policy and Early Childhood Care and Development policy are the guiding documents in achieving these strategies. In consistent to the strategies and policies, acts preventing domestic violence, protecting marriage and preventing women and children repression and other laws are being enforced. Benefits of preparing gender responsive budget for several years now is facilitating empowerment of women, girl and children as equal partners in development. Recognizing the central role of women in preventing conflict, building peace and responding to emergencies, National Action Plan has been adopted to establish peace and security within and beyond border by ensuring
women’s greater role in peacebuilding, peacekeeping, disaster management, prevention of violence against women and preventing violent extremism. Programs to facilitate women leadership at home and workplace and to build adaptive capacities of climate vulnerable coastal communities including women and children in the face of adverse impact of climate change are also being implemented. Madam President
05. We gratefully recognize UNWOMEN as our trusted partner in many of these endeavors. Bangladesh increased yearly contribution to UNWOMEN in successive years. We also acknowledge UNWOMEN’s support to our government and people along with other UN entities, international and national organization in addressing the humanitarian crisis created due to the influx of more than 700000 forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals from Rakhine state into Bangladesh since August 2017. We convey our heartfelt thanks to the UNWOMEN, the Executive Director Ms. Phumzile and all relevant staff at the headquarters, regional offices and Bangladesh country team for their outstanding services under challenging situations and for their solidarity with the people and the government in their endeavor to ease the immense sufferings of the large number of distressed Rohingya population camped in Bangladesh.
06. We hope that UN-Women would continue its support in gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda with priority to the least developed countries. Finally, I like to assure UN-WOMEN our support in implementing its Strategic Plan, country program in Bangladesh and in the excellent work that is being done in the camps of Cox’s bazar.
I thank you, Madam President