Shawdesh desk:

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday urged the people to vote her Awami League party to power again in the upcoming general election for the sake of sustaining the Bangladesh’s development momentum.

‘The people of the country got freedom by voting for the boat ( AL election symbol). Today, Bangladesh got the status of a developing country because it voted for the boat,’ she said while addressing a programme after inaugurating newly constructed 12-storey Joyeeta Tower at Dhanmondi.

The programme was held at her official residence Ganabhaban.

She said that her government had ensured empowerment of women besides generating employment for them. ‘So let this progress continue,’ she said.

Hasina said that Bangladesh today was witnessing democracy as her party was in power.

She also said that through the empowerment of women, the government had been able to ensure the rights of women everywhere.

She asked the country’s women to fight for their rights instead of waiting for others to give it.

‘Don’t just say ‘give us our rights, give us our rights’. Women should attain their rights themselves,’ she said.

State minister for women and children affairs ministry Fazilatun Nessa Indira, PM’s principal secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah and chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Women and Children Affairs Ministry Meher Afroz Chumki, secretary Nazma Mobarek and Joyeeta Foundation managing director Afroja Khan also spoke at the programme.

Earlier, the prime minister went to Dhanmondi 27 and unveiled the inaugural plaque of Joyeeta Tower and also opened Jamdani Gallery and Joyeeta Market Place in Joyeeta Tower.