Duchess of Edinburgh praises Bangladesh’s initiatives in healthcare, education and women’s empowerment

Dhaka, Bangladesh || Tuesday, 10 November 2026 || 25 Kartik 1433

HEADLINE:

High Court Grants Six-Month Bail to Partex Group Chairman Shawkat Aziz Russell Bangladesh’s Hajj Quota Increased by 5,000 to 83,500 for 2027 Government Plans to Recruit 11,880 Sports Teachers, Appoint Sports Officers in 495 Upazilas Two crude bombs explode outside Japan Garden City in Mohammadpur Bus set on Fire beneath Farmgate metro station in Dhaka Duchess of Edinburgh praises Bangladesh’s initiatives in healthcare, education and women’s empowerment Tarique Rahman urges BNP lawmakers to stay on streets amid concerns over Hasina’s possible return

A Declining River City and Moazzem Majhi

Moazzem Majhi, a boatman of Turag, used to come

The Quiet Struggle of Dhaka’s Literary Sanctuaries in the Digital Age

DHAKA — Deep within the dense, bustling alleyways of

Violence against women is escalating at home and at work: Why is society still silent?

A series of disturbing incidents of violence against women

Al-Amin Poner Elected Information Technology Secretary of Tejgaon Press Club

A 21-member Executive Committee has been formed for the

Duchess of Edinburgh praises Bangladesh’s initiatives in healthcare, education and women’s empowerment

Published : Tuesday, 10 November, 2026 at 11:51 AM, Count : 39

Duchess of Edinburgh praises Bangladesh’s initiatives in healthcare, education and women’s empowerment

The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones, has praised Bangladesh’s initiatives in healthcare, education, women’s empowerment and the welfare of disadvantaged children.

She also lauded the contributions of local organisations SUROVI and the Ziaur Rahman Foundation during a meeting with Zubaida Rahman, wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, in Dhaka on Monday morning.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Duchess appreciated the government’s efforts to incorporate the experience and expertise of the two organisations into its broader policy framework.

She also commended the prime minister’s commitment to empowering women and his efforts to raise awareness against violence against women.

Welcoming the Duchess to Bangladesh, Zubaida expressed appreciation for her longstanding engagement in promoting women's empowerment, girls' education, children's welfare and the prevention of avoidable blindness.

During the meeting, the two exchanged views on women's economic empowerment, maternal and child healthcare, gender-based violence and youth development.

Zubaida outlined the government's initiatives to reduce maternal mortality and recruit 100,000 healthcare workers to strengthen the country's health services.

She also highlighted social safety-net programmes, including Family Cards and Farmers' Cards, designed to provide economic and social assistance to families and communities.

She further explained the government's commitment to ensuring free education for girls and expanding opportunities for women.

Zubaida briefed the Duchess on the activities of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and SUROVI in supporting disadvantaged communities.

SUROVI works in several areas, including education, child protection, healthcare, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, and skills development, with a particular focus on children and women from extremely poor and marginalised communities.

Zubaida said the experiences and best practices of these organisations had helped shape the government's policy priorities and were reflected in its election manifesto.

She also highlighted several initiatives for disadvantaged children and young people, including the Shishu Swarga Model in urban slum communities, the Blue Sky Programme and Proyash's services for children with special needs.

Discussing the Rohingya crisis, Zubaida called for continued international support for displaced Rohingya people and their host communities in Bangladesh. She reiterated the importance of ensuring their safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return to Myanmar.

The Duchess praised Bangladesh's humanitarian role in sheltering a large Rohingya population and acknowledged the significant responsibility shouldered by the country. She also assured continued advocacy to keep the crisis on the international agenda.

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.

« Previous