PM Sheikh Hasina's role in women empowerment lauded

UK Minister of State for the Commonwealth, UN and South Asia Lord Tariq Ahmad has highly appreciated the role of prime minister Sheikh Hasina in empowering women and education.

“I had the opportunity to meet prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina. I know her pivotal role in women empowerment and women education,” he said.

The UK minister was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Commonwealth Fair 2019 at Kensington Town Hall in London on Saturday, said the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Sunday.

Lord Ahmad said the Commonwealth Fair is playing an important role in promoting women education.

Bangladesh High Commission in London with the support of the Commonwealth Girls Education Fund (CGEF) hosted the fair.

The colourful fair was inaugurated with the national anthems of Bangladesh and the UK.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem said prime minister Sheikh Hasina was honoured with “Planet 50-50 Champion” and “Agent of Change” awards in 2016 for her outstanding contributions to women empowerment.

She said Sheikh Hasina has now become a role model of women development and women education.

Bangladesh High Commission in cooperation the Bangladeshi-British community has collected 15,000 pounds for the Commonwealth Girls Education Fund (CGEF).

Commonwealth Countries League (CCL) president Nalini Paranavitane, Commonwealth secretariat deputy secretary general Dr Arjoon Suddhoo, Commonwealth Girls Education Fund Chairman (CGEF) chairman Roxanne St Clair, CCL patron Louisa Service, OBE and Commonwealth Fair coordinator Cecilia Muchemi also spoke at the inaugural session of the fair.

A total of 38 countries took part in the fair and 34 institutions showcased products.