Sen and Yunus echo similar concerns for women

While speaking at the Salma Sobhan Memorial Lectures he, however, stressed the point that while working on the social aspects of empowerment the agencies also need to focus and act on the various other factors that lead to subjecting women to unequal treatment.

Prof. Sen noted that in recent years, women's access to independent income, job opportunities outside their homes, and literacy has markedly increased. But so much more needs to be done to let them turn a corner. Indeed, Prof. Sen rightly points out that no agency can ignore the urgency of alleviating many inequalities that continue to blight the overall wellbeing of women.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Both Prof. Yunus and Prof. Amartya Sen appreciated the role of Ain-o-Salish Kendro (ASK) in helping the poor with legal aspects and called for active participation of local government agencies in resolving disputes. Prof Yunus urged the ASK to continue to provide legal help and assistance to the clients of Grameen Bank.

It is indeed a matter of pride not just for the ASK but also for the entire nation to be lauded and hailed by no less a person than a Nobel laureate from a friendly neighbouring country for Bangladesh's commitment to women's rights and their economic empowerment.

Let the voices of the Nobel laureates be our guiding spirit and let our actions on the ground be our tribute to them. This country has but a few success stories to its credit on a national scale and hence let us continue to carry the torch forward in the years ahead.