Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today addressed the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in the USA. -Photo: CA Press Wing

NEW YORK, Sept 26, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today said empowerment of women is one of the top priorities of his government. 

"One of our top priorities is the empowerment of women," he told the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) while delivering his speech here.

Prof Yunus said in reality, in many important fields today, the contribution of women is greater than half. 

This month, for the first time, Bangladesh published the Unpaid Household Production Satellite Account, he said, adding that it shows that women perform more than 85 percent of unpaid care and household work, with a value equivalent to over 16 percent of Bangladesh's GDP.

"Despite many obstacles, our girls are succeeding everywhere: from classrooms to boardrooms, from laboratories to sports fields. Recently, our women’s football team won a regional championship, qualified for inter-Asian competition, and inspired millions across the country," the chief adviser said. 

He said his government’s efforts to ensure women’s safety, dignity, and equal opportunity continue. 

"This year we celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration. On this occasion, we have strengthened our commitment to women’s empowerment by announcing four national pledges under the ‘Beijing+30 Action Agenda’, to be implemented in the next five years," he said. 

Those include: enacting a law to prevent and protect against sexual harassment; recognising and valuing women’s unpaid care and household work; increasing women’s participation in politics and public life; and strengthening gender-responsive budgeting, said Prof Yunus.