Adviser Titumir Calls for Stronger UN Support to Protect Women and Girls

Prime Minister's Adviser for the Ministries of Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has urged stronger cooperation from UN Women to protect and empower women and girls in Bangladesh amid mounting challenges stemming from global conflicts, economic instability, energy insecurity and supply chain disruptions.

At a meeting with UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women Deputy Executive Director Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda on Wednesday, Titumir said Bangladesh continues to shelter more than 1.2 million Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds, placing considerable economic, environmental and security pressures on the country.

He called for greater engagement by UN Women to support the early repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar and to ensure that women and girls returning there can live safely and with dignity, enjoy their rights and access sustainable livelihood opportunities, according to a message received here today.

The adviser said the multifaceted impacts of ongoing global crises have significantly narrowed Bangladesh's fiscal space, while tougher lending conditions imposed by international financial institutions have restricted access to grants and concessional financing.

He stressed the need for expanded support from UN Women to strengthen the protection and empowerment of women and girls and bolster inclusive social protection programmes.

Outlining the government's women-focused development agenda under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership, Titumir highlighted several key initiatives, including the Family Card issued in the name of the female head of the household, free education for girls through the postgraduate level, expanded reproductive and mental health services, and the planned universal life-cycle-based social protection system.

Gumbonzvanda praised Bangladesh's progress in promoting gender equality and described the Family Card initiative as an innovative, women-centred social protection programme.

Recalling her visit to Cox's Bazar, she lauded Bangladesh's humanitarian commitment and reaffirmed UN Women's continued partnership in advancing gender equality, women's economic empowerment and social protection, promoting the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and addressing the Rohingya crisis.