Business leaders, policymakers and diplomats from Bangladesh and Japan on Sunday urged greater investment in women's leadership and entrepreneurship, saying stronger female participation in business is essential for sustaining economic growth and strengthening bilateral trade and investment.
The call came at the Japan-Bangladesh Business Women Conference: Empowering Women in Business, organised by the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JBCCI) at the Sheraton Dhaka under the theme "Driving Sustainable Growth in Bangladesh through 'Give to Gain'".
Speaking as the chief guest, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam (Rita) said the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan entered a new phase, marked by expanding trade, investment and people-to-people engagement.
Referring to the conference theme, she said, "The philosophy of today's conference, 'Give to Gain', is simple yet profound. When we give opportunities, we gain innovation."
She said empowering women is not merely a matter of equality but a strategic investment that unlocks the country's full economic potential.
JBCCI President Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun) described women's economic empowerment as one of the most effective strategies for enhancing Bangladesh's competitiveness and long-term prosperity.
He urged businesses and financial institutions to move beyond symbolic commitments and ensure women have equal access to finance, markets, technology, business networks and leadership positions.
"Women's economic empowerment is not a side issue of development. It is one of the most powerful strategies for Bangladesh's growth, competitiveness and prosperity," he said.
JBCCI Secretary General Maria Howlader highlighted the gap between Bangladesh's achievements in gender representation and women's actual participation in the economy.
Although Bangladesh ranks 24th in the Global Gender Gap Index, she said much of that progress stems from women's political representation rather than their economic participation.
"Bangladesh has talented women everywhere. What we often lack is not talent but the opportunity," she said, adding that empowering women, who account for more than 50 per cent of the country's population, should be viewed as an economic strategy rather than simply a social objective.
She also disclosed that less than 2 per cent of JBCCI's current members are women. The chamber plans to increase female representation by expanding mentorship programmes and strengthening access to Japanese corporate networks.
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi acknowledged that Japan still lags behind Bangladesh in several areas of gender equality.
He noted that Japan ranks 118th globally in gender parity and said the country has much to learn from Bangladesh's experience in promoting women's empowerment. "It is clear that Japan is far behind Bangladesh when it comes to women's empowerment. We have to learn from it," the ambassador said.
He, however, noted that Japan has recently witnessed increasing numbers of women taking leadership positions in government and parliament.
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