Zubaida, Duchess of Edinburgh discuss women’s empowerment, Rohingya crisis

Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and the Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie Helen on Monday discussed strengthening cooperation in women’s empowerment, healthcare, education and addressing the Rohingya crisis, with a focus on protecting vulnerable communities. The discussions took place during a meeting between the two at the Crowne Plaza in Dhaka on Monday, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Zubaida welcomed Sophie to Bangladesh and appreciated her longstanding commitment to women’s empowerment, girls’ education, child welfare and preventing avoidable blindness.
The two exchanged views on women’s economic empowerment, maternal and child healthcare, combating gender-based violence and expanding opportunities for young people.
Highlighting the government’s healthcare priorities, Zubaida outlined initiatives to reduce maternal mortality and strengthen health services through the recruitment of 100,000 health workers. She also briefed the Duchess on social safety net programmes, including Family Cards and Farmers’ Cards.
She stressed the importance of free education for girls and greater participation of women in socioeconomic development.
Zubaida also highlighted the contributions of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and SUROVI to disadvantaged communities, particularly women and children. She said their experience in promoting economic independence, skills development, education, child protection, healthcare and nutrition had helped shape the government’s development priorities.
She mentioned several initiatives for underprivileged children and young people, including the Shishu Swarga Model in urban slums, the Blue Sky Programme and Proyash’s support for children with special needs.
She also briefed the Duchess on the government’s “One Student, One Tree” programme to promote environmental awareness among young people.
The Duchess appreciated Bangladesh’s initiatives in healthcare, education and women’s empowerment, particularly the work of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and SUROVI. She also commended Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s commitment to empowering women and addressing violence against them.
The meeting also focused on the prolonged Rohingya crisis. Zubaida called for continued international humanitarian assistance for Rohingyas and their host communities, stressing the need for their safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.
The Duchess acknowledged Bangladesh’s humanitarian role in hosting a large Rohingya population and assured continued advocacy to keep the crisis on the international agenda.
Both sides explored opportunities to deepen cooperation in healthcare, education, women’s empowerment and the protection of vulnerable communities.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister’s Adviser and Spokesperson Mahdi Amin, and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, among others, attended the meeting.