Still a long way to go

Bangladeshi women have progressed significantly in several indicators including gender equality and education, but their presence in leadership roles is still low, speakers said yesterday.

Despite increase of female participation in public and private jobs, only few women currently hold top posts at different government and non government organisations, they added. 

They stressed that women should be given more opportunities and their male counterparts should be cooperative.

Also, the society must change its attitude towards women, and the institutions should ensure safe work environment.

Bangla Daily Prothom Alo in association with Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh organised the roundtable on “ensuring more development and participation of women everywhere” at the newspaper's office in the capital.

The programme was organised on the occasion of International Women's Day, which will be observed on March 8.

Speaking at the discussion, Naser Ezaz Bijoy, chief executive officer of the bank, said women have to win leadership positions, like becoming top officials at different local and international institutions, for maintaining the progress of development.

Many women in the country have the capacity, but they cannot do so due to a lack of confidence and support, he said.

Meher Afroz Chumki, state minister for women and children affairs, said families have to raise female children by taking proper care of them and giving motivation since their early age so that they can reach the top level.

“Human resource development is impossible with keeping women behind. Our country is making progress in this regard,” she said, while speaking as the chief guest.

Kazi Mustafa Sarwar, director general of Directorate General of Family Planning; Abdul Quayum, associate editor of Prothom Alo; Siddiqur Rahman, president of BGMEA; Prof Mahbuba Nasreen of Dhaka University; footballer Sabina Khatun, and actress Moutushi Biswas, also spoke at the discussion.