The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has issued a directive instructing the managing directors and chief executive officers of all scheduled banks in the country to observe International Women’s Day on March 8, 2026.

The central bank said the initiative aims to align the activities of the banking sector with the nationwide programmes led by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs to mark the day with due importance and significance.

According to a circular issued on Thursday by the Banking Regulation and Policy Department (BRPD) at the central bank’s headquarters in Dhaka, all banks and financial institutions have been instructed to adopt and highlight the official theme announced by the government for this year’s observance.

Banks have been asked to incorporate the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.” in their programmes, awareness campaigns and promotional activities related to the celebration.

The central bank issued the directive by exercising its regulatory authority under Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991, ensuring compliance across the banking industry.

The circular also emphasised that the banking sector plays an important role in the national observance of the day. Therefore, banks have been directed to take necessary steps to prominently feature the theme in their respective programmes and activities marking International Women’s Day.