Khulna, Mar 08 (V7N)- International Women's Day was celebrated in Khulna today (Saturday) with various programs including inauguration ceremony, procession, women entrepreneur fair, discussion meeting, quiz competition prize distribution.

A discussion meeting was held in the conference room of Khulna Deputy Commissioner in the morning on the occasion of the day with the theme 'Rights, Equality, Empowerment, Development of Women and Girls'. Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md. Firoz Sarkar was the chief guest.

In his speech at the event, the chief guest said that if women are educated, the entire society will be educated in the future. Women should learn to respect them. They have no chance to be seen differently. Children cannot be discriminated against because they are boys or girls. Along with men, women have a role in every field. Women's rights should be realized by women. He also said that the role of women in the July Movement is undeniable. We should protest against injustice with courage.  Women are leaving their mark of competence in all fields including the judiciary, administration, education, medicine, armed forces, and law enforcement. It is everyone's expectation that everyone, regardless of gender, will work as fellow travelers in women's development.

Superintendent of Police TM Mosharraf Hossain spoke as a special guest at the event chaired by Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam. Deputy Director (Additional Duty) of the Women's Affairs Department Suraiya Siddika delivered the welcome speech. Senior journalist Sheikh Didarul Alam, women's leader Advocate Shamima Sultana Shilu and others spoke at the event. Officials from various government departments and representatives of women's organizations were present at the event.

At the end of the event, the Divisional Commissioner distributed prizes among the winners of the quiz competition and presented mementos to the stall representatives of the fair.

Earlier, the chief guest inaugurated the day-long Women Entrepreneurs Fair on the occasion of International Women's Day at the Khulna Collectorate premises.  The day-long fair featured 15 stalls selling and displaying products produced by women entrepreneurs.

END/SDA/AJ