DHAKA: Bangladesh has been elected member of the UN Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) for a second time.

Twelve countries, out of 21 in the race, were elected members of the CEDAW Committee to the 2011-14 term in the elections held in the UN Headquarters, New York.

Bangladesh candidate Ambassador Ismat Jahan bagged the highest 153 votes, out of 185, according to a message from Bangladesh Permanent Mission at the UN received here Tuesday.

Other elected members are Japan (143), Turkey (132), Slovenia (130), Egypt (130), Switzerland (129), Paraguay (119), Croatia (118), Mauritius (114), East Timor (113), Israel (103) and Algeria (96).

Ferdous Ara Begum of Bangladesh is one of the members of the current CEDAW committee (2006-10). The new committee will take charge upon completion of the present committee’s tenure.

Ismat Jahan, now Bangladesh Ambassador to Belgium, had earlier worked as the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN. She joined the Foreign Service in 1983.

Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr Shirin Sharmin led the Bangladesh delegation to the CEDAW State Party meeting held in the UN Headquarters Monday.

Other delegation members are Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes and Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Dr AK Abdul Momen.

BDST 1400 HRS, JUNE 29, 2010
AKR/LY/MUA