The government on Tuesday directed all the ministries and agencies to launch a coordinated special drive to prevent rape of and violence against women, declaring the issue a top priority.

The directive came from a cabinet meeting at the secretariat, with prime minister Tarique Rahman in the chair, where the prime minister also ordered quickly addressing the pending rape cases.

After the meeting, cabinet secretary Md Nasimul Ghani briefed journalists, saying that the cabinet had decided to launch a special drive involving all ministries to address pending and previous rape cases and ensure swift action.

‘The cabinet has taken a  suo motu decision to undertake a special drive involving all ministries regarding rape cases. Necessary steps will be taken to go as far as needed to curb such incidents in society and ensure prompt action,’ he said.

Noting that multiple agencies are involved in handling such cases, he said that the prime minister had stressed the need for stronger coordination among them.

The cabinet also decided to enhance inter-agency coordination, raise public awareness, and strengthen institutional capacity within the legal process to ensure effective handling of cases filed over violence against women.

To expedite justice, directives have been given to further strengthen the activities of tribunals in every district, the cabinet secretary added.

Responding to a query, he said that the issue was among the government’s priority areas.

The prime minister also directed the ministries of agriculture and disaster management and relief to work jointly to support people affected by recent hailstorms and flash floods in the northern and north-eastern regions.

‘People in these regions have suffered losses due to hailstorms and sudden flooding, and the ministries have been instructed to prepare a coordinated support package and act swiftly,’ said Nasimul Ghani.

He added that assistance activities must continue during the Eid holidays to ensure timely relief.

The deputy commissioners have also been asked to provide necessary support using local funds, while the flood situation in Sunamganj and Sylhet received particular importance during the discussion.

The cabinet approved proposals to convert two key ordinances — the supplementary budget for FY2024–25 and the main budget for FY2025–26— into laws.

The supplementary budget, officials said, is usually placed at the Jatiya Sangsad if expenditures exceed the approved allocations, as required under Article 91 of the constitution. However, it could not be presented earlier before the JS due to its dissolution, they added.

The interim government had issued the Appropriation (Supplementary) Ordinance, 2025 under Article 93, which has now been approved for conversion into a law.

Similarly, the ordinance covering the FY2025–26 budget will also be enacted as a law. Under Article 87, annual financial statements must be presented before the Jatiya Sangsad, but this was was also delayed due to the absence of a sitting parliament.

In a separate decision, the cabinet approved Bangladesh’s accession to the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement under the World Trade Organization’s plurilateral Joint Statement Initiative.

The agreement aims to facilitate foreign direct investment by enhancing transparency, streamlining approval processes, and improving the overall investment climate.

Officials said that joining the agreement would not create new obligations regarding market access or investor-state dispute settlement, nor would it require altering existing commitments.

The cabinet secretary hoped that joining the agreement would strengthen the image of Bangladesh as an attractive destination for foreign investment.