The return from investment in education is the maximum

Sharke Chaman Khan:“The return from investment in education is the maximum. Goal of achieving gender parity can be made possible by some innovative steps through making substantial investments in both primary and secondary education of girls by giving scholarships, stipends and introducing free education.” Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Dr. A K Abdul Momen stated this while he was speaking at a panel discussion entitled ‘Advancing girls’ secondary education: obstacles and opportunities’ on 28th February at the UN-HQ.  It was one of the side-events at the 55th Commission on Status of Women.

Dr Momen also said that the use of ICTs in the curricula will enable girls to keep pace with the modern-day world, to pursue technical and vocational training that may guarantee decent jobs. He called upon the donor countries to abide by their commitments in this regard.

The session was jointly organized by the UNESCO and International Federation of University of Women (IFUW). Director General of UNESCO Ms. Irina Bokova made the opening address at the session while the President of the IFUW Ms. Marianne Haslegrave made the closing remarks. Executive Director of UNFPA Ms. Babatunde Osotimehin, DG of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Dr. Gill Greer also participated as the discussants.