Afghanistan's ultra-conservative authorities have ordered that women should no longer be allowed to enter amusement parks. The decree comes after a wider announcement restricting access to public spaces. Afghanistan's "morality police" on Wednesday ordered that all amusement parks in the country must now refuse entry to women. The ban adds to a slew of curtailments to freedom Afghan women already face, as the Taliban ratchets up restrictions on public life after its return to power in August 2021. What do we know so far? A spokesperson for the country's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (MPVPV) confirmed that women would not be allowed to enter amusement parks.  Two park operators, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Reuters news agency that the Taliban had told them not to allow women to enter their parks. It was unclear how the restrictions would work alongside a previous MPVPV rule that said parks must be segregated by gender with some days set aside for women. That rule applied more generally to all public parks, including open spaces, and public baths.  Part of wider curbing of liberty Since the chaotic withdrawal of NATO forces paved the way for the Taliban's comeback last year, Afghanistan's new hardline rulers have deprived girls of getting a secondary education. The group made its U-turn on indications it would open all girls' high schools in March. Taliban authorities have suppressed activists who have protested for women's rights to education, work and freedom, and there has been an increase in murders of women that go unpunished.  The group has also told women they should not leave the home without a male relative and must cover their faces.  Women have been removed from public service positions except where they cannot be filled by men in education, health, and some elements of policing.  A UN report in August noted that "the increasingly dangerous and hopeless situation for women and girls has contributed to a reported increase of suicides among women."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Wednesday) said her government has been establishing high-tech parks across the country mainly to flourish the digital economy with a target of earning 5 billion dollars by 2025. "We have decided to set up high-tech parks aimed at flourishing the digital economy. Sajeeb Wazed Joy was behind the decision making," she said while addressing the second meeting of the Bangladesh High-Tech Park Authority board of governors. She joined the meeting virtually held at the conference room of the ICT Division from her official Ganobhaban residence in the capital. Comparing the current earnings from digital market with that 13 years back, the Prime Minister said: "The size of the digital market was only 26 million (US) dollars 13 years back and now it stands at 1.4 billion (US) dollars and its export will surpass 5 billion (US) dollars by 2025 while employments will be generated for 30 lakh people." To fulfill the target, she said, her government has been establishing ITC infrastructures and preparing skilled manpower alongside creating scopes to flourish the hidden talents of the young generation. "Our country will march ahead to prosperity if we are able to flourish the hidden talents of the young generation and utilise those accordingly," she opined. The Prime Minister said her government is out to pursue making digital devices a major source of the country's export earnings replacing the readymade garments. "I think digital devices can be the most exportable items in the future. We'll have to take different steps and work accordingly to this end," she added. The premier said she wants digital devices with the tag of 'Made in Bangladesh' to be exported across the globe like the garment products. The Digital Bangladesh Taskforce meeting was held in 2015, she said, adding that it had given priority to production of digital products to diversify the export items to reduce dependency on single items. PM's ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy, State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak and PM's Senior Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present at the Ganobhaban end while Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Posts and Telecommunication Division Minister Mustafa Jabbar and other board members of the Bangladesh High-Tech Park were present at the ICT division during the meeting, PMO Press Wing sources said. Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had a target of giving the people a better and improved life by building a developed and prosperous country free from hunger and poverty.    To fulfill the target, the Prime Minister said, "We have to cope with the pace of the world. So, the government has taken various measures to educate the people on modern technology, create awareness among them about technology and establish communication to this end at the global level."    She said her government has made Bangladesh digitised in accordance with the Awami League's election manifesto of 2008.    "We want our country to march ahead. We have already attached the most importance to technological education and its expansion," she added.   The premier said her government is constructing 92 high-tech parks, software technology parks and IT Training and Incubator Centres across the country to prepare efficient working forces to face the challenges of the 4th industrial revolution. Of them, the construction works of nine parks have already been completed, she said.   She added that her government has introduced computer education at the school level.    The Prime Minister asked all the members of the board of governance of Bangladesh High-tech Park Authority to focus on building a modern and technology based developed country by 2041.    "We have been taking various timely measures to take Bangladesh towards prosperity, maintaining the status of a developing country. Science and technology can create the scope for us," she said.    The premier stressed the need for research on science and technology to pursue the move towards becoming a developed country.    She said the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war have slowed the pace of Bangladesh's economy and other economies of the world, adding that food crisis has been prevailing in many countries around the globe.    Referring to the increasing trend of fuel price globally, she said the developed countries are now facing difficulties to produce electricity, "We have to be economical in using electricity. We are giving special attention so that we can reduce the use of energy and keep the country's economy rolling by limiting the use of power."   The Prime Minister said her government has given importance to increasing food production to ensure food security, reiterating her call to the countrymen to bring every inch of land under cultivation.  Source: BSS AH

Posts, Telecommunications and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Mustafa Jabbar said more than three lakh youths both boys and girls will get jobs within next couple of years in 28 hi-tech parks now being constructed outside of Dhaka. He also said around 14,000 youths will get jobs in ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park, Rajshahi’ Project that will play a vital role in boosting the current economy of the region by creating new technology-based employment. The Hi-tech Park is being built on 31 acres of land in Bulanpur area in Rajshahi city with an estimated cost of Taka 231 crore to make Rajshahi as the city of technology. Its implementation works are expected to complete by December, 2021. The minister revealed this while visiting the project site in Rajshahi on Saturday. Reports BSS. Mustafa Jabbar said the Bangabandhu Hi-tech Park intends to create atmosphere for establishing industries on ICT, engineering, electronics, telecommunication and biotechnology. Besides, more avenues of employment for the ICT people will be created in this venture. He said the park will play a key role in building Digital Bangladesh, accelerating the national economic development by expanding hi-tech industries, establishing hardware and IT industries and creating a helpful condition to attract foreign companies. Foreign companies, he said, would be allowed to provide technological support for developing local industries. During the visit the ICT minister directed the implementing officials concerned to quick and proper completion of the construction works as per the design. ICT Secretary Ziaul Alam, Commissioner of Rajshahi division Nur-Ur-Rahman and Deputy Commissioner Abdul Kader were present on the occasion. AH