The Duchess of Edinburgh continued her first day in Bangladesh with a visit to the country’s leading training centre for UN peacekeepers.
Following her meeting with Zubaida Rehman, Sophie travelled to Gazipur for her second engagement of the day at the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training.
During the visit, the Duchess met female UN peacekeepers and heard about their experiences both before and after deployment, including the challenges they face while serving overseas.
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The engagement gave Sophie an opportunity to learn more about the country’s contribution to UN peacekeeping and the role women play within its military missions.
She spent time speaking with the women about their work and experiences, hearing what life is like for those deployed as part of international peacekeeping operations.
Her earlier meeting with Zubaida outlined the government’s efforts to improve healthcare and support women and families across Bangladesh, including measures aimed at reducing maternal mortality and strengthening services through the recruitment of 100,000 health workers.
Zubaida briefed the Duchess on the work of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and SUROVI, which focus on improving the lives of disadvantaged communities, particularly women and children.
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It also highlighted the government’s ‘One Student, One Tree’ initiative, which encourages young people to take part in environmental protection.
