Dhaka:Dr Zubaida Rahman, Vice-President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and spouse of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, emphasized the need for equal opportunities in women's empowerment, economic emancipation, education, and leadership development at a seminar on women's leadership held at a city hotel.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the seminar was organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) and the US Embassy in Dhaka as part of the three-day 30th US Trade Show. Dr Zubaida Rahman, speaking as the chief guest, discussed various aspects of women's empowerment, noting that 50.8 percent of Bangladesh's population are women, yet many remain excluded from the mainstream economy due to barriers such as child marriage, limited education, and inadequate healthcare.
Dr Rahman cited data from the International Labour Organization indicating a female labour force participation rate of 38.6 percent compared to 80.4 percent for men. She highlighted the importance of addressing the dropout rates among girls and ensuring their participation in higher education. Dr Rahman also stressed the need for a strong foundation in literacy, science, technology, and practical skills for girls to thrive in leadership roles.
The government, she noted, is committed to providing free education for girls up to the undergraduate level. Initiatives like the 'Notun Kuri' competition were highlighted for fostering leadership qualities among children. Dr Rahman also underscored the significance of economic emancipation for women and mentioned ongoing initiatives to recruit health workers and professional midwives, as well as plans to establish day-care centers to support working women.
In her speech, Dr Rahman pointed out the transformative potential of technology and the importance of women's active participation in this sector to create an inclusive future economy. She called for a collective effort from various societal sectors to remove barriers to women's progress, advocating for turning aspirations into opportunities and opportunities into sustainable leadership impacts for Bangladesh. The event was moderated by Zakia Sultana, Country Manager for Mastercard in Bangladesh, and featured several distinguished panel speakers.