Zubaida Rahman calls for stronger focus on education, technology and healthcare for children at US summit

Zubaida Rahman, wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has called for coordinated efforts in education, technology and healthcare to secure the future of children, while addressing a global summit in the United States.

Speaking at the "Fostering the Future Together: Global Coalition Summit" in Washington, DC yesterday (24 March) local time, she said the development of children must remain a priority for all nations.

At the invitation of US First Lady Melania Trump, Zubaida Rahman is on a two-day official visit to Washington, DC, to attend the summit.

More than 40 spouses of heads of state from different countries are participating in the event, which serves as a platform for high-level discussions on children's welfare and development.

In her speech, Zubaida Rahman said, "The future of every nation is written in the lives and development of its children. The education, values, and opportunities we provide them today will shape the nations of tomorrow."

She thanked Melania Trump for bringing together global representatives on a common platform to work for children's welfare.

Zubaida Rahman said Bangladesh's government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is working to build an inclusive and forward-looking nation.

She noted that initiatives such as the 'Family Card' and 'Farmers Card' have been introduced to support households and help ensure that children grow up in safe and nurturing environments.

Highlighting her role as a medical doctor, she stressed the importance of ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for every child.

"Alongside treatment, emphasis must be placed on prevention, especially from the earliest stages of life," she said.

She added that her involvement with the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and voluntary organisation Surovi has strengthened her commitment to education, youth development and community well-being.

Zubaida Rahman also said artificial intelligence can play a key role in improving education, particularly in developing countries where access to trained teachers and resources remains uneven.

She said steps have been taken to modernise education by providing teachers with digital devices, introducing digital curricula and expanding multimedia-based classrooms.

"Technology, particularly ed-tech, plays a crucial role in reducing disparities between urban and rural communities," she said, while also stressing the need for safe and ethical use of technology for children.

On women's empowerment, she said Bangladesh has a strong legacy in this area.

She noted that former prime minister Khaleda Zia introduced free education for girls up to grade 12, and added that the current government is working to ensure free education for women up to the postgraduate level.

She also said the foundation of the garment industry under former president Shaheed Ziaur Rahman created employment opportunities for women, strengthening families and improving children's prospects.

Highlighting the importance of partnerships, Zubaida Rahman said Bangladesh aims to work with the private sector and international partners to expand safe digital spaces, train teachers, empower parents and improve the quality of education.

In her concluding remarks, she said, "By sharing knowledge, learning from one another, and collaborating across borders, we can strengthen not only our nations but also the future of our children and the world they will inherit."

She ended her speech by expressing gratitude to the US First Lady.

Zubaida Rahman was accompanied on the visit by Professor Morshed Hasan Khan of Dhaka University, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Shah Muhammad Aman Ullah, and Barrister Mehnaz Mannan.

An exhibition was also held alongside the summit, featuring 11 leading technology institutions from the United States, showcasing innovations aimed at supporting children's education.

Zubaida Rahman and her delegation visited the exhibition. She is scheduled to attend the closing session of the summit at the White House today (25 March).