Published: 06 March 2017
“Being inspired by the success of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), women have to play effective role in successful implementation of SDG theme ‘leaving no one behind’- Dr. Sumaiya Khair”
The main purpose of the workshop was to inform and
encourage the female government officials to play effective role
in implementing the gender related goal 5 and good governance related goal 16 of SDGs.
In her welcome speech, Dr. Sumaiya Khair said that the contribution of women in establishing sustainable good
governance with ensuring transparency and accountability in administration, is undeniable. She added that being
inspired by the success of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), women have to play effective role in successful
implementation of SDG theme ‘leaving no one behind’.
The workshop kicked off with a presentation made by Rezwan ul Alam on ‘Sustainable Development Goals, good governance and women’, highlighting the synergy between SDG 16 and 5 with the 7th Five-year plan of Bangladesh, women rights and empowerment in SDG, intra-relationship between women and good governance and required actions to deal the challenges of women rights and empowerment.
Advocate U. M. Habibun Nessa facilitated an open interactive session on ‘Inclusive strategy in ensuring sustainable development: no one will be left behind’. The participants discussed about steps taken by female government officials in encountering antagonistic challenges related to governance, women rights and empowerment to achieve SDGs, current status, future prerequisite, innovative planning etc.
The female officials participated in a group activity on ‘Good governance in women right and empowerment process:
Recommendation for Upazila level’ and presented two findings. One group
emphasized on child marriage prevention and ensuring property rights and recommended for proper implementation of
Acts. The other group recommended to activate the ‘violence against women prevention cell’ and ‘legal aid
committee’, suggested allocating fund for ‘Women Development Forum’ in Annual and Upazila development fund, to
increase women’s participation in project planning and implementation committee etc.
Recognizing the important role of media, NGO, private and individual organization along with government in achieving SDGs, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that SDG is more powerful than MDG in improving the quality of human life because of its universalism, transformative individuality and inclusivity.
“SDG is more powerful than MDG in developing the quality of human life because of its universalism, transformative individuality and inclusivity”- Dr. Iftekharuzzaman
Appreciating the initiative of TIB, the participants expressed that this forum inspired them positively and they expected to share and apply these experiences among their networks.
Meanwhile, another workshop titled “Gender sensitive anti-corruption social movement and invincible youth” was held on 14th March, 2017 at TIB Meghomala conference room with the participation of 52 members from 13 Dhaka Youth Engagement & Support (YES) and YES Friends groups.
Starting with a brief discussion on ‘women rights, good governance and sustainable development’ by Rezwan ul Alam, Director, Outreach & Communication of TIB, the workshop continued with sessions on intra-relationship between gender and corruption, Bangladesh’s High court’s guideline on sexual harassment and case study presentation of gender-related experiences of YES group members.
In the concluding session, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman answered several queries from the participants. He emphasized on
including positive discrimination in the economic, political and social structure of Bangladesh to keep up the same
pace of men and women. He urged the participants to take a vow that they will not keep the issue of equal rights of
men and women as only in knowledge, but also practice this in their personal life.
