(BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today said women are making significant strides in skill development with commitment and sincerity and they will be a vital force for Bangladesh’s future development.

The adviser made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the ‘July Kannaya Award-2025’ distribution programme organized by ‘July Kannaya Foundation’ at the auditorium of Krisibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) here.

“We, from the policy making level, are trying to take the July daughters (konnas) aread but there is very limited space for them at the national level,” she said, adding, “We still see that the eyes of mothers of the July martyred are filled tears on hearing the national anthem.”

Though the number of female July warriors was comparatively low but their contributions were enormous, Farida Akhter said, adding that the role of the mothers was significant in each of the struggles in Bangladesh.

The women were at the forefront of all struggles from the language movement in 1952 to the War of Liberation in 1971 and the mass upsurge in 2024, she said, adding that women’s contributions to the important movement must be recognized.

Emphasizing women’s development, Farida Akhter said that women who represent 51 percent of the total population of the country should not be kept behind. No one will give rights to anyone, it should be realized, she said, adding that the July Kannaya Foundation should work for the advancement of the women.

Chaired by the president of the July Kannaya Foundation Jannatul Naim Promy, the function was addressed, among others, by the mother of Shaheed Abrar Fahad, student of Stamford University Nusrat Jahan Tumpa, mother of Shaheed Nayma Sultana and July warrior Ayman.

A total of 100 selected women were formally awarded the ‘July Kannaya Award-2025’ at the function.