Speakers at a seminar said that Bangladesh is in a good position in terms of women's share of the workforce, but needs to enhance their financial empowerment.
They said the small and medium entrepreneurs sector needs to encourage women entrepreneurs, but trade licenses and access to finance should be more simplified and women-friendly.
They made the remarks while speaking at a seminar on ‘Rights, Equality and Employment: Women Progress in Bangladesh’, held in a hotel in Baridhara Diplomatic Area on Sunday.
Japan -Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) jointly organized the event.
Takahashi Naoki, deputy chief of mission, Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh was present in the seminar as the chief guest.
Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, pro-vice chancellor, University of Dhaka, and Rubaba Dowla, Country Managing Director, Oracle Bangladesh were present in the program as the special guests.
As panel discussion, Kazi Rubaiya Islam, corporate and media relations lead of JTI, Uzma Chowdhury, CPA, Director (Finance) Pran-RFL Group and Aminata BA, assistant manager, Mitsubishi Corporation, Dhaka participated. Tahera Ahsan, Executive Director, JBCCI, moderated the event.
Takahashi Naoki, deputy chief of mission, of Japan Embassy, in Dhaka said Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in women employment and empowerment.
“Japan believes that women empowerment and opportunities in employment are very essential for the progress of a country,” he said.
Japan is working for the Rohingya and their well being along with Bangladesh, he said.
He mentioned that Japanese investment in Bangladesh is in a good position and JBCCI is playing a strong role in this regard.
Sayema Haque Bidisha said around 50 percent of small and medium entrepreneurs are women.
In the agriculture sector in some areas around 70 percent of employees are women. But the quality of women employees are required to improve, she said.
Uzma Chowdhury said Pran-RFL is ensuring safety, security and maternity leave for women. The performance of women is ahead of men employees in many sections.
Maternity leave and daycare facilities have ensured women employees' dedication to service the company, she said.
Business representatives of Japan and Bangladesh participated in the event.
