The Women`s Affairs Reform Commission submits its report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday. – CAO Photo
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged relevant ministries and departments to swiftly implement the recommendations of the Women`s Affairs Reform Commission that are immediately actionable, aiming to eliminate discrimination against women.

He issued these directives after receiving the commission’s report at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday (April 19).

“The recommendations that can be quickly implemented should be acted upon through us. We should be able to set an example for other countries through this work. The girls of the world are watching. They will review it, and they will be inspired. Women in other countries are also serious about this,” said Professor Yunus.

He emphasised that addressing gender inequality is not just a women’s issue but a universal concern. “This is not just a women’s issue; it is a general issue. This report will be printed and distributed widely. It will be published in the form of a book, like a textbook. It cannot remain a document locked away in offices—it must be made accessible to the people,” he added.

The Chief Adviser further announced that the proposals of the Women’s Reform Commission would also be presented to political parties through the National Consensus Commission, ensuring broader engagement and continuity across governments.

Shirin Parvin Haque, head of the Women’s Reform Commission, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society. “In memory of those who lost their lives in July, we wanted to do something that would benefit the people and society,” she said.

She explained that the recommendations have been categorized into three parts: Some can be implemented by the current interim government, others can be taken up by the next elected government, and a separate section highlights the hopes and aspirations of the broader women’s movement.

The commission has proposed reforms across 15 key areas, addressing critical issues such as legal rights, economic empowerment, healthcare, education, and social protection for women.

Commission members Mahin Sultan, Senior Fellow at the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development, Fouzia Karim Firoz, President of the Bangladesh National Women’s Lawyers Association, Kalpana Akhter, President of the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation, Halida Hanum Akhter, Women’s Health Expert, Sumaiya Islam, Executive Director of the Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra, Nirupa Dewan, Former Member of the National Human Rights Commission, Ferdousi Sultana, Former Senior Social Development Adviser of the Asian Development Bank, and Nishita Zaman Niha, Student Representative, were present during submission of the report.