As Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered a powerful speech at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the country also showcased its woman power with three leading ladies taking centre-stage on the global forum. Ambassador Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh’ permanent representative to the UN, who was chairing the session introduced Hasina and then invited her to the podium.
Mosammat Shahanara Monica, a foreign ministry official, who is serving as counsellor at Bangladesh Permanent Mission at UN translated Hasina’s message from Bangla to English.
This is a moment to cherish for the Muslim-majority Bangladesh especially at a time when the newly formed Taliban government in Afghanistan has started clamping down on women’s rights in the war torn country.
Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also the Father of Bangladesh, had used Bangla or Bengali to address the UNGA on September 17, 1974.
“The language rights movement for Bangla had snowballed into a movement for an independent Bangladesh under Bangabandhu’s leadership,” Dhaka Tribune said in an article.
When the world worries for Afghanistan, especially its women, and terror-sponsor Pakistan sinks into an economic abyss, the world is all praise for Bangladesh's amazing economic turnaround and social inclusion, for its battle against climate change and gender empowerment — all rooted in Bangladesh unique Bengali culture and the language, columnist Ajoy Dasgupta told the newspaper.
Also read: World leaders reflect on Afghanistan at UNGA
Hasina, in her address at the UNGA, once again underscored the importance of vaccine equity. "We must ensure universal and affordable access to vaccines for people across the world,” she said. She also spoke on the situation in Afghanistan, nuclear disarmament, and issues relating to climate change. Hasina also said that the Rohingya crisis needs to be resolved.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriai Alam were also present at the UNGA.
