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Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday said that the mentality of looking down on women in society must be changed.

‘Otherwise, as a nation, we will have no future,’ he said at an award distribution ceremony at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka marking the International Women’s Day.

The chief adviser conferred the awards upon five outstanding women – Sharifa Sultana, Halima Begum, Marina Besra, Lipi Begum and Muhin Mohona – and the members of Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket Team with the Indomitable Women’s Award-2025 for their significant contributions to various fields.

The United Nations resident coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, Dhaka University mass communi cation and journalism department professor, Gitiara Nasreen, and women and children affairs ministry senior secretary Mamtaj Ahmed also spoke at the function with women and children affairs adviser Sharmeen  S Murshid in the chair.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief adviser mentioned that the recent reports of attacks on women were deeply concerning, which was completely contrary to the dream of building a ‘new Bangladesh’.

He said that they were committed to fulfilling equal rights for all women and men in this new Bangladesh. ‘We will establish these rights applying our all strengths.’

Mentioning that the anti-women forces will have to be resisted together along with all the people of the country, he said, ‘The anti-women forces, which are trying to emerge, will have to be tackled together with all the people of the country.’

Professor Yunus also said that there were still many people in the society who undermined women instead of standing by them.

He, however, said, ‘If we want to prevent violence against women and oppression on women and build a beautiful Bangladesh free from discrimination, there is no alternative to standing by women and supporting them.’

Recalling the contribution of women, the chief adviser said that the country’s women were playing an important role with great courage in their respective fields.

‘Overcoming various hurdles, the women are contributing to the country’s advancement, including politics and economy,’ he pointed out. 

He mentioned that the fallen dictatorship was investing a huge amount of money to create anarchy in the country, saying, ‘So, we should remain alert.’

Prof Yunus urged all to stay optimum vigilant to ensure the safety of women and children in the country.

‘Build social unity against oppression. Stand by each other. Cooperate with the government to build a beautiful and peaceful society,’ he said.

Highlighting the interim government’s initiatives to ensure the welfare of women, Prof Yunus said that preventing violence against women was one of the government’s priorities. He said, ‘Although women often become victims of violence, they do not know where to complain in many times. So, a hotline has been introduced to help them report their complaints.’

Noting that an initiative has been taken to update the domestic violence for Prevention and Protection Act, 2010 to provide legal assistance to women, the chief adviser said that works were underway to formulate the Sexual Harassment Prevention and Protection Act, 2025.

‘We have formed a reform commission on women’s affairs, which will also give its recommendations,’ he added.

A few days ago, Yunus said that a record number of women participated in different sports, including football, cricket, kabadi, volleyball and basketball in the Youth Festival 2025 organised across the country aiming to rejuvenate the power of youth and build a new Bangladesh.

In this festival, 27.4 lakh girls from different parts of the country participated in about 3,000 sports and cultural activities, while people from all walks of life sat in gallery and encouraged them, the chief adviser mentioned.

He said that the high presence of spectators proved that men also had spontaneous support for establishing women’s rights and participation in Bangladeshi society.

At the onset of his speech, Yunus remembered with deep respect the valiant martyrs of the War of Independence and the women who fought in 1971, including the Biranganas.

He also recalled the martyrs and injured in the July-August mass uprising, saying that the country’s women were also at the forefront of the impossible feat that the students, workers and common people of the country achieved together through the mass uprising.

‘Our girls stood like the Himalayas before the deadly weapons of the fascist forces,’ he added, adding, ‘Today, we remember these martyred women, who made the supreme sacrifice in the July uprising.’

Paying homage to the female fighters injured in the July mass uprising, the chief adviser said that he sought early recovery of the injured female fighter so that they could quickly return to a healthy and normal life.

Despite being at the forefront of the July uprising, he said that the women were still lagging behind in many areas of the society.

‘The government is trying to empower women especially economically and that is why various initiatives are underway.’

The interim government is taking various initiatives, including providing financial assistance to distressed mothers, training to women, arranging microcredit programmes, hostels for working women, and day care centre facilities, he noted, adding that talks were also underway on what more could be done for women.

Recalling that contribution of women in different movements - from anti-British movement to the 2024 July uprising, he said that people had forgotten many valiant women in history and they did not know about their contributions but the leadership and sacrifice of the July daughters would never be forgotten.

‘The new Bangladesh that we dream of will not be possible without the participation of women and ensuring their rights. To establish these rights, men must work alongside women as fellow warriors,’ he said.

Calling upon men to come forward with enthusiastic cooperation to establish the rightful place for women in society, Prof Yunus said, ‘...no matter how many obstacles we face, we will fully utilise the opportunity that history has given us.’

He mentioned, ‘We will build a new Bangladesh. This is our pledge.’