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Gender inequality a major bar to middle-income status

FE Report | April 26, 2019 00:00:00


Speakers at a programme in the city on Thursday termed gender inequality a major hindrance to achieving middle-income status and overall development of the country.

Gender inequality that becomes visible in a society and even in a country's policies may hinder progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by the year 2030, the speakers observed.

They were speaking at a policy dialogue titled "Women's Economic Empowerment in Bangladesh: Issues and Challenges at the local level" held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center.

Although women in Bangladesh have made significant strides across major spheres, their participation in economic activities is still very low, they viewed.

According to them, only 20 per cent of the country's female workers receive wages.

As women are still subjected to different forms of gender-based violence, their economic empowerment is a must to achieve gender equality and ensure poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth, leading up to SDG attainment.

The event was organised jointly by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) in association with UNCDF and UN Women.

This was a part of 'Inclusive and Equitable Local Development (IELD)' project, a global initiative by UNDP, UNCDF and UN Women to unlock the barriers to women's economic empowerment.

Speaking as the chief guest, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said, "The government has already enacted women-friendly laws and policies and is keen to continue the efforts, in empowering women in the fields of politics and economy."

Although women have played an important role in Bangladesh's economic development, their participation in the formal economic sector is still very poor, she commented and said women should not be kept confined only to the small-cottage industries, like sewing, embroidery and so on.

The Speaker called for increasing women's business literacy with a view to promoting their stake in the economy.

Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, said, "Women's economic empowerment is not simply about labour force participation: it must also encompass and consider the choice to work, choice of sector, location and working hours."

"While working for women's economic empowerment, social figures, politicians and development workers need to make sure that women's economic empowerment does not come at the cost of leisure and rest, which are important for development."

He further said, "To achieve the SDGs, we need to make sure there is no one left behind".

Citing the recent incident of Nusrat, Selima Ahmad MP, president of BWCCI, said, "Fighting violence against women should be prioritised in empowering women. When a woman is raped by someone who is supposed to protect her, all our hopes about women's political and economic empowerment are shattered."

Among others, Waseqa Ayesha Khan, member of parliament, Md Arfan Ali, managing director of Bank Asia, Taslima Sultana Khanom, president of Women Development Forum, Brahmanbaria, and Rokeya Kabir, founder and executive director of Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangstha spoke.

Earlier, Ferdousi Sultana Begum, eminent gender expert, presented the keynote paper on 'Women's Economic Empowerment in Bangladesh' and Sharmin Islam, UNDP's women's economic empowerment specialist, made a presentation on the challenges and issues faced at the local level.

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