Gender equity key to eradicating poverty
Says UNFPA representative
The Daily Star
Star Business Report
Gender equity is key to eradicating poverty, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative in Bangladesh Suneeta Mukherjee said in Dhaka yesterday.
As half of the population in the society are women, a country cannot advance if the overall condition of the womenfolk does not improve, Mukherjee said at a discussion marking International Women’s Day 2014, which was observed on Wednesday.
Tipu Munshi, president of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), was present as chief guest at the programme participated by more than 500 garment workers
As 85-90 percent workers of total two million workforce in Bangladesh’s garments sector are women, the BGMEA has been taking various initiatives since 1994 to ensure wellbeing of female workers, Tipu Munshi said.
Describing the welfare activities, he said the BGMEA has set up compliance cells and safety cells in textile units to ensure safety of female workers.
The UNFPA has been providing technical support to offer reproductive health service to women workers since 1998, said MA Alamgir, project director of BGMEA-UNFPA health project and a renowned film actor.
The UNFPA also provides medicines and healthcare advices for garment workers from three healthcare centres established by the BGMEA.
