Photo: Collected
Today marks Bangladesh’s 52nd Victory Day – symbolising not only triumph over political challenges, but also a relentless pursuit of economic prosperity, liberating the nation from the chains of poverty and underdevelopment. Progressing from its Least Developed Country status, Bangladesh proudly stands as a developing and middle-income country, showcasing uninterrupted economic growth—an achievement worth celebrating.
Over the past decade, Bangladesh has significantly enhanced education accessibility, undertaking the nationwide construction of primary schools with the goal of making primary education mandatory for all. The country now boasts near-universal primary school enrollment, achieving gender parity in education with an impressive 98% of children enrolled. The government actively promotes women’s pursuit of higher education and supports women entrepreneurs, empowering women across the nation. These timely initiatives have notably elevated female education in Bangladesh.
As of 2023, the functional literacy rate for individuals aged 7 years and above stands at 62.92%, while the general literacy rate in the country is 74.23%. Notably, the functional literacy rate for individuals aged 11-45 has risen from 53.70% in 2011 to 73.69%, reflecting substantial progress.
In the realm of gender equality, Bangladesh leads South Asian nations, securing the top spot in the Global Gender Gap Report 2023 by the World Economic Forum. The country’s global ranking for gender equality in 2022 was 71st, with an impressive score of 71.4%.
Prioritising the well-being and prosperity of children and families, the provision of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services is crucial. Three million individuals now have access to potable water, while 2.7 million have experienced improved sanitary conditions. Handwashing facilities are accessible to 3.3 million individuals, contributing to enhanced public health.
In the pursuit of sustainable energy, Bangladesh emphasises on the utilisation of natural resources such as solar energy, hydropower, biomass, biogas, and biofuels. The installed electricity capacity, which was 5,271 MW in 2009-10, has surged to 28,134 MW, providing 100% of the population with access to electricity. The focus remains on environmentally friendly energy production.
Recognising the collective responsibility for sustainable production and consumption, all segments of society, including the government, producers, entrepreneurs, and the media, must collaborate on a unified platform. This collaborative effort aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasising the necessity for collective action to achieve shared objectives. As Bangladesh confidently strides toward achieving the status of a fully developed country by 2040, these achievements underscore the transformative impact of the present government’s policies on the nation’s economic and social landscape, setting it on a trajectory akin to the Tiger economies of Southeast Asia.
Messenger/Sun Yath
