Prof. Maitree Wickremasinghe, wife of Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has stressed the need for women to know their own worth and stand by their rights.

The remarks were made while addressing the gathering of some 12,000 women delegates at the first National Women’s Parliament with theme empowering women for nation-building, which began with a flourish at Pavitra Sangamam Ghat, the New Indian Express reported.

While speaking at the event, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has said a woman has to play a key role in the promotion of deeper human values, compassion and love in all spheres of activities.

The octogenarian observed that the existing education system needs to be revamped to bring about a change in the male-dominated society. “Unlike children, who are innocent, honest and sincere, grownups are more concerned about material world and lay less emphasis on basic human values. In order to produce whole hearted humans with compassion, changes in education system is needed,” he explained. 

Speaking in the inaugural session, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament said despite movement for women empowerment which started decades ago, the goal remains elusive. 

Explaining the efforts for women empowerment in Bangladesh, she said way back in 1972, they have reserved seats for women in Parliament and today 70 people’s representatives are women with Prime Minister, Opposition leader and Parliament speaker are women.

-Agencies