DHAKA, March 14, 2023 (BSS) - Innovation and technology hold immense

potential for accelerating gender equality and women's empowerment which is a
prerequisite for sustainable development in Bangladesh, said Faruque Hassan,
President of BGMEA.

"Digital technologies can offer solutions that can be used to meet women's
needs and promote their empowerment. For example, digital literacy and skills
help women move to superior and more complex positions in their workplaces,"
he said.

He also said digital transformation has paved the way for women to develop
their skills. It's encouraging to note that the participation of women at the
management level in the RMG industry is increasing, said a press release
today.

He made the comments while speaking a dialogue on "innovation & technology
for gender equality and minority rights" as a special guest.

Gloria Jharna Sarker, MP, Shehela Pervin, Additional Deputy Inspector General
of Police, Police Headquarters, Gordon Shannon, Head of Programme Development
and Funding Global, Christian Aid in Bangladesh, and Sara Hossain, Honorary
Executive Director, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) also
spoke at the dialogue organized by Christian Aid and its partners in
Dhanmondi, Yesterday.

In his address, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the ready-made garment
industry had huge contributions to women empowerment in Bangladesh by
creating their employment in the formal sector.

"Their financial ability has earned them dignity in families, given them a
voice in decision making and freedom to take their decision," he said.

"The RMG industry is a bright example of how digital technologies can make a
difference to women's empowerment and rights. Garment factories are now
paying their workers in mobile financial services (MFS) accounts, enabling
them to have full control of their money which they can now send to their
families and save for the future," Faruque Hassan said.

In the era of Fourth Industrial Revolution, the manufacturing landscape is
being hugely dominated by technologies with many automatic machines and
software being integrated into production processes to make it more efficient
and environmentally friendly, he said.

It's important to create opportunities for women to adapt to the changing
trends through skilling and re-skilling so that they can have equal space in
the workplace, he added.

"As the government has envisioned for a developed Bangladesh, this vision
cannot be achieved without leaving women behind and playing their active
roles," Faruque Hassan said.