Stakeholders call for policy reforms, collaboration to bridge gender gaps

Speakers at a roundtable discussion on women empowerment have emphasised the need for policy reforms and collaborative efforts to bridge gender gaps across sectors.

They also emphasised the importance of mentorship, financial literacy, and policy advocacy in breaking barriers for women in business and leadership.

The Financial Express, country’s first financial daily, organised the discussion titled “Empowering Women: Driving Equality for a Sustainable Future” on Tuesday (February 25) ‍at The Westin Dhaka to mark International Women’s Day, which falls on March 08.

Halida Hanum Akhtar, Member of the Women Affairs Reforms Commission, joined the discussion as the chief guest and Kakoli Jahan Ahmed, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, as the special guest while Shamsul Huq Zahid, Editor of The Financial Express, chaired it.

Hosne Ara Loma, Human Resources Director at Nestlé Bangladesh, presented the keynote speech at the session, moderated by Shiabur Rahman Shihab, Head of Online and Digital Content of The Financial Express.

The event brought together policymakers, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and women rights advocates to deliberate on strategies for advancing gender equality and fostering sustainable development through women’s empowerment.

The discussion covered crucial topics such as the role of financial institutions in supporting women entrepreneurs, corporate policies for gender-inclusive workplaces, and the media’s influence in shaping gender narratives.

Halida Hanum Akhtar said women should not beg any favour from society or the country, they need to attain necessary qualitfiction and strength to thrive and thus secure their positions across sectors.

Kakoli Jahan Ahmed said there should be organisation-based counselling platforms and inter-organisation forums to tackle the barriers women face at workplace.

Shamsul Huq Zahid identified two major barriers to women empowerment – poverty and lack of education. “If we can overcome the barriers, women must thrive and society will benefit,” he said.

Stakeholders at the discussion pledged to drive actionable initiatives for women's economic and social empowerment.

A distinguished panel of experts engaged in a dynamic exchange of ideas, highlighting key challenges and opportunities for women's inclusion in various sectors.

The included Mohammad Abdul Qaium Khan, Managing Director (CC) of Community Bank Bangladesh, Adil Raihan, Deputy Managing Director of Mercantile Bank, Prof Dr Eaysmin Ara Lekha, Vice-Chancellor of Uttara University, Md Shakawath Hossain, CEO of Unique Hotel & Resorts, Tamanna Rabbani, Vice-President of Ananta Real Estate Ltd, Bitopi Das Chowdhury, Country Head (Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing) of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh, Priti Chakraborty, Chairman of Universal Medical College, Shashwatee Biplob, Associate Director, Social Empowerment and Legal Protection (SELP) at BRAC, Mushfika Nishat, Co-founder of Sombhabona Foundation, Doulot Akter Mala, President of Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) and Special Correspondent of The Financial Express, Sharif Mostafa Helal, Executive Director of Bangladesh Women's Health Coalition (BWHC), Naaz Farhana Ahmed, President of Dhaka Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DWCCI), and Munima Sultana, Special Correspondent of The Financial Express. 

Sponsors of the roundtable were Community Bank Bangladesh PLC, Nestle Bangladesh PLC, Mercantile Bank PLC, Unique Hotel & Resorts PLC, ACI Logistics (Shwapno), Uttara University, Universal Medical College & Hospital Ltd, and ZSRM.