DHAKA: As in the previous years, Bangladesh will celebrate International Women’s Day across the country on Tuesday (March 8).

The women and children affairs ministry will organize an elaborate program to observe the day with due respect.

This year's theme is ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality’.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to join a discussion as chief guest at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in city on the day.

Moreover, Samajik Pratirodh Committee will bring out a procession upholding the spirit of equality. Several socio-cultural and rights organizations will also celebrate the day.

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki will join an identical human-chain in front of Jatiya Press Club Tuesday morning.

On the other hand, the United Nations observance on 8 March will reflect on how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals.

It will equally focus on new commitments under UN Women’s Step It Up initiative, and other existing commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights.

UN Secretary-General's message

“We have shattered so many glass ceilings we created a carpet of shards. Now we are sweeping away the assumptions and bias of the past so women can advance across new frontiers,” says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message for International Women’s Day 2016.

UN Women Executive Director’s message for IWD

“Each one of us is needed — in our countries, communities, organizations, governments and in the United Nations — to ensure decisive, visible and measurable actions are taken under the banner: Planet 50-50: Step It Up for Gender Equality,” says UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka in her message.

BDST: 0005 HRS, MAR 08, 2016
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