Photo: BSS

LALMONIRHAT, August 1, 2026 (BSS) - Disaster Management and Relief Minister 
Asadul Habib Dulu, MP, has said the present government is attaching utmost 
importance to women's education and empowerment to attain sustainable 
national development.
 
"In addition to expanding women's educational opportunities, various 
development programmes are being implemented through different government 
departments to make them economically self-reliant," he said. 
 
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at the distribution of sewing 
machines, bicycles, ceiling fans and sports equipment under the Annual 
Development Programme (ADP) 2025-2026 fiscal year at the Sadar Upazila 
Parishad Hallroom on Saturday afternoon, a press release of the Rangpur 
Regional PID Office said. 
 
Dulu said that the late Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had arranged for 
free education for women up to higher secondary level. 
 
"Current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced plans to further expand 
that initiative and ensure free education opportunities for women up to 
graduation and degree levels," he said. 
 
He further said that the government is implementing various programmes to 
make women economically self-reliant and empowered on the path to building a 
prosperous Bangladesh with equal participation of women.
 
At the same time, regular sports competitions and distribution of sports 
equipment are being organised at the village level to keep the youth away 
from drugs and crime and to make them interested in sports. 
 
On the occasion, the minister distributed bicycles among 80 poor and talented 
female students. 
 
Besides, 120 sewing machines, 262 ceiling fans were distributed to various 
educational institutions and 61 footballs, 61 volleyballs and five cricket 
sets were distributed to various sports and social organisations to improve 
women's employment and living standards. 
 
Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Rashedul Haque Prodhan, Sadar 
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Manonita Das, Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge 
(OC) Saad Ahmed, leaders of various political parties, beneficiary female 
students and local dignitaries were present at the time.