Project launched to boost women's empowerment

FE Team | Published: April 21, 2026 22:10:50

The collaborative project "Advocating for Change - Women's Economic Empoerment through Collective Action," funded by FAME Window 3, was officially launched on Monday at the CIRDAP Conference Hall in Dhaka.
Organised by the Centre for Women and Children Studies (CWCS) in partnership with Concerned Women for Family Development (CWFD) and PURNIMA, the initiative aims to strengthen women's economic participation through collective action and policy advocacy.
The event was chaired by Naaz Farhana, President of the Dhaka Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DWCCI), and featured remarks from distinguished guests representing government, national and international development organizations.
Cynthia Mela, Country Director of Agence Française de Développement (AFD) in Bangladesh was present as the guest of honour and highlighted France's commitment to feminist diplomacy, emphasising that sustainable peace and progress require an inclusive society where women are not left behind.
While the chief guest, Aivy Akter, Joint District and Session Judge, and Law Officer, Department of Women Affairs under Ministry of Women and Children Affairs underscored the national legal frameworks and ongoing actions of the government of Bangladesh, the special guest, Chowdhury Md. Mohaimen, Manager of Bangladesh Child Helpline, and Member of Child Helpline International under Ministry of Social Welfare shared information about 24-hour service and awareness that is being provided to children and their families through the helpline.
In her closing remarks, Naaz Farhana reiterated that through this initiative, integrated networks and platforms will be developed from the local to national level to strengthen women's working environments and expand economic opportunities.
Special attention will be given to identifying the barriers and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in the market and finding practical solutions through collective action.
The event escalated food for thoughts in the Open Discussion session as the esteemed non-government representatives and journalists shared their critical findings in the field level and talked over how to overcome them.
The event was hosted by Sharjin Jahan, Program Coordinator of CWCS, and was concluded with a vote of thanks from Professor Ishrat Shamim, Treasurer of CWCS.