Ensuring women-friendly market system a must
To ensure economic empowerment of rural women, a safe and women-friendly market system is a must. At the same time, women also need to directly participate in the key market system, said speakers yesterday at the inauguration of a national colloquium organised by ActionAid Bangladesh on “Market System for Women Agro-Entrepreneurs” at Gulshan in Dhaka.
Dr Sheikh Azizur Rahman, director (administration) of the Department of Livestock Services, said, “We cannot deny the contribution of women in the overall development of the country. Livestock department is always ready to help women entrepreneurs,” he said.
Rashida Begum, an entrepreneur from Patuakhali, shared her story at the programme, saying that women face various problems in selling their products at local markets. She demanded that the government ensure fair price of products by creating a direct connection between women farmers and the key market system.
Halima Begum, another entrepreneur, said she started cultivating vegetables after a training from “Making Market Work for Women” project by ActionAid Bangladesh and later, with the help of local administration and ActionAid, she has been able to earn by selling the vegetables she grew.
During a knowledge session titled “Challenges and opportunities in women entrepreneurship development and decision-making,” Tony Michael Gomes, technical programme director at World Vision said, “More income is not bringing more mobility and empowerment for women even in the booming economy of Bangladesh with 7.3 percent growth rate.”
Getting engaged with economical activities actually didn’t increase their overall empowerment or mobility as such, especially for those who engaged in different agro-based entrepreneurship or market systems. They are still facing challenge to get access and recognition, he added.
Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, said, “Although Bangladeshi women are very aware and keen to improve their financial situation, their involvement in the market system is not enough.”
“Both public and private parties need to work to ensure that our rural agricultural entrepreneurs, especially women, get the right environment and can participate directly in market management,” she added.
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