, April 6 -- Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Monday said the responsibility of building an equitable and just society cannot rest on the state alone, urging citizens to actively participate in addressing social challenges.

"Thinking that the state will do everything will not work. We are all citizens of the state - so everyone has responsibilities," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a programme titled "Equality and Justice in the Changing Landscape of Bangladesh" organised by Plan International Bangladesh at a city hotel.

The minister said the state can introduce necessary systems and policies, but society must take the responsibility to ensure their effective implementation. "If...