Speakers urge higher budget for women's safety, skills, jobs

FE REPORT
Speakers at a discussion on Saturday called for increasing national budgetary allocations, expanding access to technology, and ensuring effective law enforcement to enhance women's safety, skills development and employment opportunities.
They also demanded easier loan facilities, workplace safety and social protection for women, placing a set of 10 demands ahead of International Women's Day.
The discussion was jointly organised by Nari Unnayan Shakti (NUS), Forum for Culture and Human Development (FCHD), Young Women for Development, Rights and Climate (YWDRC), and Domestic Worker Employer Association Bangladesh (DWEAB) at the training hall of Nari Unnayan Shakti in the capital.
The event was held under the theme: "The national budget must be increased to ensure women's safety, skills, employment, and overall advancement."
Keynote speaker Dr Afroja Parvin, executive director of Nari Unnayan Shakti and president of DWEAB, emphasised that increasing government budget allocations for women's
development, skills training, employment generation and social protection is essential to ensure women's safety and economic empowerment.
Sahida Wahab, president of the Forum for Culture and  Human Development, said ensuring women's rights is crucial for national development and requires joint efforts from both the government and civil society.
Nusrat Sultana Afroj, executive chairperson of YWDRC, stressed the importance of strengthening young women's leadership, expanding technical and digital skills and creating climate-resilient employment opportunities.
Nasima Khan, secretary general of DWEAB, highlighted the need for legal protection, fair wages and social security for women working in informal sectors, including domestic workers.
Dr Sultan Muhammad Razzak, member of the Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum, underscored the importance of safe workplaces and improved access to loans and market opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
Other speakers included freedom fighter and labour leader Abul Hossain, Tasnuva Haque (SHILID), Murshida Akhter (NDWWU), Swapna Akter (BMWF), Advocate Laizu Akter (BHWF), and Asha Akter, general secretary of the Bangladesh Health Service Workers Association.
Participants also urged the government to ensure legal recognition and social protection for women in the informal sector, guarantee safe transportation, expand skills development opportunities, and ensure access to education, healthcare and nutrition for women.
They further called for greater participation of women in leadership and decision-making at all levels.