Ensure equal opportunity for women

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi to make efforts to ensure that women in his country could live with dignity and honour with equal opportunity for education and work with their male counterparts.

She made this call when the president phoned her in the afternoon.

The two leaders shared views on bilateral, regional and international interest issues, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Hasina said Bangladesh abstained from voting on the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resolution to remove Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women.

During the 22-minute tele-conference, the PM recalled that Bangladesh and Iran, being members of the OIC and D-8, have often been supportive to each other.

She reiterated Bangladesh’s readiness to extend support to Iran in multilateral platforms, especially in the UN.

The premier appreciated that the new Iranian administration was reaching out to Bangladesh to expand and consolidate bilateral ties.

Hasina said that the bilateral trade volume between the two countries was far below the true potential, and that both sides should hold further engagements to enhance trade and business.

Stressing the need for forming a Joint Business Commission (JBC) between the chamber bodies of the two countries, the PM said meetings of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) should be held regularly.

She congratulated Iran for restoring diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia. She said this was a classic example of a successful diplomatic maneuver that would lead to greater regional stability in the Gulf and beyond.

Hasina invited the Iranian president to visit Bangladesh at his convenience. She wished him and the people of Iran a happy Eid-ul-Fitr.