‘Japan wishes to bring forth as many Nilufas as possible’
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has highly praised the role of a Bangladeshi girl in promoting women’s participation in society and of the empowerment of women and symbolised her ‘a doctor of clean water’.
The appreciation came when the Japanese premier addressed the 68th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York on Thursday, according to a copy of the speech provided by Japan Embassy here.
“Poverty caused Nilufa to give up on the dream she had cherished as a little girl to become a doctor someday. But I understand that now she proudly states she has become ‘a doctor of clean water’,” the Japanese Prime Minister told his audience.
Shinzo Abe referred the examples of three individuals from Bangladesh, Japan and Afghanistan to clarify Japan’s development concept aimed at bringing about a ‘society in which women shine’ and also shed light on some issues that must be tackled.
He said his government wishes to bring forth as many Nilufas as possible. “It’s by the way a very small Japanese company that makes Poly-Glu. We will work to enhance the assistance to such companies and organisations to make their ideas to bear fruit.”
The Japanese premier introduced Nilufa Yeasmin, a young Bangladeshi woman, a mother of two. “Her professional title is ‘Poly-Glu Lady.’ Poly-Glu, is a made-in-Japan water depurative derived from a food which can be found in Japan in great abundance.”
Poly-Glu acts as an adsorbent, adhering to excess substances in the water, and then falls to the bottom as a precipitate, leaving the water clear.
The Prime Minister said it is necessary to teach people how to use it correctly at the outset, and Nilufa and other “Poly-Glu Ladies” serve as both salespersons and instructors.
He also mentioned that by combining her income with her husband’s, Nilufa has become able to send her children to higher education.
The government of Japan has positioned this – promoting women’s participation in society and of the empowerment of women – as foremost policy area and Japan will continue its highly inventive efforts, including launching start-up businesses in Africa.
“In closing, if we were to follow the wisdom of ‘womenomics’ mentioned earlier, our development concept under which we focus on cultivating the power of women would engender more peace and wellbeing in the world.”
Abe hoped to bring about ‘a society where women shine’, both within Japan and also in regions in conflict and countries suffering from poverty.
Source: UNB Connect
