Empower women, bridge leadership gap: speakers

Despite progress, many women still face invisible barriers that limit their career growth.

— Ashish Damle Country director of Oxfam

Despite an increase in women's labour force participation from 36.3 percent to 42.67 percent, their representation in mid- and senior-level leadership roles remains disproportionately low, speakers said at an event yesterday.

Structural barriers such as entrenched societal norms, institutional biases, and career breaks due to family responsibilities continue to hinder women's professional growth, they added. 

The event, titled "Anirban -- Rise and Lead", aimed at empowering mid-career women, was held at a city hotel. It brought together key stakeholders from industries, development organisations, and policymakers. 

Jointly organised by Oxfam in Bangladesh and WaterAid Bangladesh, the event also marked the launch of Anirban, a leadership initiative designed to empower mid-career women professionals and support their reintegration into the workforce and leadership roles after career breaks. 

Humaira Azam, managing director of LankaBangla Finance, said, "Success isn't just about academic excellence -- it's about interpersonal skills, mental training, and how we utilise our spare time to grow. Knowledge is vital, but so is confidence, strong body language, and the ability to overcome challenges." 

She called for systemic change and urged men to act as ambassadors for women's leadership journeys.

The Anirban initiative aims to dismantle barriers to women's leadership by providing mentorship, skills training, and advocacy. 

"Despite progress, many women still face invisible barriers that limit their career growth," said Ashish Damle, country director of Oxfam in Bangladesh. "It's time to create workplaces that nurture diverse leadership and ensure equal opportunities for all professionals." 

Hasin Jahan, country director of WaterAid Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of structured support for women. "A career break should never define a woman's potential. By offering mentorship and guidance, we can help women re-enter the workforce with confidence and contribute their valuable skills to leadership roles," she said. 

Nusrat Anwar, project coordinator of WaterAid's Women's Returnship Programme, and Bidowra Tahmin Khan, head of Economic Inclusion and Justice at Oxfam, delivered a keynote presentation detailing how Anirban supports women navigating career transitions and leadership challenges. 

A panel discussion titled "Breaking Barriers: Women's Leadership in the Modern Workplace" was moderated by Kabita Bose, country director of Plan International. Other panelists included Md Rubaiyath Sarwar, co-founder of Innovision Consulting, and Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation. The discussion explored workplace gender biases and pathways for systemic change.