More empowerment needed for women development: experts

5815

DHAKA, Dec 24, 2019 (BSS) – Experts have emphasized on more empowerment of women, especially creating scope for their participation in the country’s politics, saying that though women have achieved remarkable successes in the recent past, they have to go far to attain the ultimate goal.

Dhaka University Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies Director Prof Dr Mahbuba Nasreen said equity has not been achieved in terms of getting salaries in permanent jobs between male and female.

“In many cases women are not getting appropriate recognition for their works. A big section of women are working honorary and such work of them has to be considered to understand financial development appropriately,” she said.

According to sources, of around 5.41 crore working manpower in the country, 1.62 crore are women. There are 16,700 medium and small women entrepreneurs, who are making a huge contribution to the society.

Of the total working forces engaged in garment industry of the country, more than 80 percent is women. Former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Md Siddiqur Rahman said women are comparatively honest to their respective jobs, increasing their competency in this way.

Under the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, much progress has made in empowering women as they have left mark of their successes from the field of politics to social causes.

Bangladesh is now moving fast on the highway of development. From Prime Minister to leader of the opposition, to speaker of national parliament, all are women. Bangladesh has made much progress in terms of development and participation, but the country has to make more for continuation of this trend.

According to a survey, women’s contribution in labor force of the country has gone up from 29 percent in 2005 to 36 percent in 2010.

“Development of human resource of a country is inextricably linked with its own development. By human resource, we not only understand men, we understand women also. So thinking about development by leaving out the women is like living in fool’s paradise,” said former state minister for women and children affairs Meher Afroz Chumki.

While talking about current trend of progress of the country, she laid emphasis on keeping this trend going and said, “We need to further increase the participation of women in social development activities.”

“There is no difference between a boy child and a girl child. All have equal rights to education, health and accommodation. But we have to give a little extra benefit to women as the men have moved much forward because of age old social, financial, political and cultural structures,” said Chumki.

Women have come into headlines very lately in sports arena too with their brilliant performances. Be it football, cricket, weight lifting and archery, country’s sportswomen have achieved a lot.

“Even till couple of years ago, taking part in sports by women was not that easy. In 2006, women national football team players came under attack at Bangabandhu National Stadium. From that time, girls are now taking part in sports like football and cricket and winning games against different international teams,” former national football team captain Sabina Khatun said.

Sabina said for development and participation of a woman, they have to be aware first.

“She has to bring change in her mentality. Family’s support is also vital for progress of the women. And the good thing is, now time is changing for good and with this trend, women will empower more, making the development of the country much easier,” she added.