In Bangladesh, based on our experience with nation-building and women's empow...

In Bangladesh, based on our experience with nation-building and women's empowerment, we have embraced this view and developed a model that our Prime Minister, Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina calls a “peace model”. She believes that if peace is attained and maintained, development and prosperity will follow. The central message conveyed in the model emphasizes the empowerment of people, including women and other vulnerable groups. I am happy to note here that the General Assembly recently adopted resolution 66/224, entitled “People's empowerment and development”.

Women occupy many top leadership positions in my country. The Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees the equality of men and women within the broad framework of non-discrimination on grounds of religion, race or gender. The 345-member National Parliament of Bangladesh has 45 seats reserved for women. We also have a significant number of elected women representatives in local bodies.