Duchess of Edinburgh Meets Dr. Zubaida Rahman in Dhaka

Discussion focuses on women's empowerment, healthcare, education and child protection; Royal Family member assures continued international advocacy on the Rohingya crisis

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, spouse of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, met Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh in Dhaka on Monday morning. The meeting focused on several important issues, including women's empowerment, maternal and child healthcare, girls' education, child protection and the ongoing Rohingya crisis.

Among those present at the meeting were Ms. Shama Obaed Islam, MP, State Minister for Foreign Affairs; Mr. Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the Prime Minister and Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office; and Ms. Sarah Cooke, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, along with other officials.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman warmly welcomed the Duchess to Bangladesh and appreciated her longstanding commitment to women's empowerment, girls' education and the wellbeing of children and young people. She also praised the Duchess's continued engagement in promoting eye health and raising awareness about the prevention of avoidable blindness.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on women's economic empowerment, maternal and child healthcare, the prevention of gender-based violence and youth development. Dr. Rahman highlighted the Government's commitment to building a healthy and prosperous Bangladesh. She also briefed the Duchess on initiatives to reduce maternal mortality and the Government's plan to recruit 100,000 healthcare workers to strengthen the country's healthcare services.

She also highlighted various social safety net programmes, including Family Cards and Farmers' Cards, aimed at extending social and economic support to families and marginalised communities. She emphasised the provision of free education for girls and the importance of creating greater opportunities for women's development and employment.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman also highlighted the longstanding social welfare activities and contributions of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and SUROVI in improving the lives of disadvantaged communities.

She explained that the Ziaur Rahman Foundation works to place women at the centre of development by promoting economic independence, self-reliance and skills development. Meanwhile, SUROVI carries out programmes in education, child protection, healthcare, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and skills development, particularly focusing on women and children from ultra-poor and marginalised communities.

She noted that the experiences and best practices of these organisations had influenced the Government's policy priorities and were reflected in its election manifesto.

Dr. Rahman also discussed various government initiatives aimed at supporting disadvantaged children and young people. These include the Shishu Swarga Model in urban slum communities, the Blue Sky Programme and the activities of Proyash, which focuses on the development and wellbeing of children with special needs.

She further highlighted the Government's tree plantation initiatives, particularly the 'One Student, One Tree' programme, designed to promote environmental awareness among students and young people.

Her Royal Highness appreciated the Government's initiatives in healthcare, education, women's empowerment and the welfare of underprivileged children. She particularly commended the contributions of SUROVI and the Ziaur Rahman Foundation.

The Duchess also praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's strong commitment to women's empowerment and his advocacy against violence against women.

The ongoing Rohingya crisis was another important issue discussed during the meeting. Dr. Zubaida Rahman called for continued international support for Rohingya refugees and the host communities in Bangladesh. She also reiterated the importance of ensuring the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingyas to Myanmar.

In response, the Duchess appreciated Bangladesh's generosity and humanitarian commitment in hosting a large Rohingya population over the years. She acknowledged the significant responsibility shouldered by Bangladesh and assured her continued advocacy to keep the Rohingya issue high on the international agenda.

The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on shared priorities and explore avenues for greater cooperation in promoting women's empowerment, improving healthcare and education, and protecting vulnerable communities.