Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the government will provide women with free education through honours level and bear all related costs. He made the announcement on Sunday afternoon in the Mirzapur Chairman Bari Ghat area of Pakundia upazila, Kishoreganj, during an event for National Fisheries Week 2026 involving the release of fish fry in the Old Brahmaputra River, distribution of fry to local fishers, and exchanges with residents.

Rahman said women’s education had previously been made free through intermediate level when Khaleda Zia was in office. Noting that women make up half of the country’s population, he said national progress would not be possible while leaving women behind. He also said government stipends would be arranged for girls who achieve good results and urged them to study attentively and lead the country in the future.

The prime minister said the government plans to provide about 12 million children from poor rural families with school bags and uniforms alongside new books every year. He said family cards are being distributed gradually to women-headed households, with a goal of reaching every home within five years; the programme is being inaugurated in Kishoreganj.