Bangladesh reaffirms commitment to gender equality, women empowerment at UN

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has reaffirmed Bangladesh's strong commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment while delivering the national statement at the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) at the UN Headquarters in New York yesterday (17 March).

Reaffirming Bangladesh's commitment to the Beijing Declaration and the 2030 Agenda, Dr Khalilur said access to justice for women and girls remains a key priority, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday.

The foreign minister also highlighted the significant contributions of Bangladeshi women to UN peacekeeping missions, noting that climate change, economic uncertainty, conflicts and the digital divide continue to pose new challenges, particularly for women in rural and vulnerable communities.

According to the press release, Bangladesh proposed strengthening justice systems through women's leadership and enhancing regional and international cooperation to combat trafficking.

It also underscored the importance of inclusive policies and sustained global partnerships to accelerate progress toward gender equality.

The CSW70 is being held from 9–19 March 2026 in New York, focusing on strengthening access to justice, eliminating discriminatory laws and addressing structural barriers for all women and girls.