The two-day event titled 'HERizon Fest 2025: Celebrating Women, Skills and Employment' concluded today in Dhaka. Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Oct 7, 2025 (BSS) - The two-day event titled 'HERizon Fest 2025: Celebrating Women, Skills and Employment' concluded today in the city with a strong call for gender-responsive, inclusive, and future-oriented skills development programmes to promote women empowerment in the country. 

The National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) with technical assistance of Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH organized the event on Monday and Tuesday at a city hotel here, said a press release.

Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraz Uddin Miah joined the closing ceremony as the chief guest while Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Mamtaz Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Dr Md Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan were present as special guests. 

Country Director of GIZ Bangladesh Dr Andreas Kuck was present at the closing ceremony as the guest of honour with NSDA Executive Chairman Dr Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury in the chair.

Speaking on the occasion, Siraz Uddin Miah emphasized the importance of inter-ministerial cooperation and public-private partnerships to ensure that women can participate equally in national and international employment opportunities. 

He noted that the two-day workshops focused on women-friendly, competency-based training, private sector engagement and inclusive opportunities for disadvantaged women. 

The chief guest highlighted that NSDA plays a crucial role by coordinating all skills development initiatives and linking them with employment opportunities. 

Noting that the success of these efforts depends on the collaboration of all stakeholders-including government and private institutions, development partners, businesses, and training centers, he called upon the Industrial Skills Council to take proactive measures to ensure skilled workforce development and sustainable employment. 

"Such initiatives will accelerate women's empowerment, advance the National Skills Development Policy for inclusive skills, and contribute to the country's overall development," Siraz Uddin said.

Speaking on behalf of GIZ, Dr Andreas Kuck said that the 'HERizon Fest' celebrates women's skills and employment while highlighting various initiatives for skills development and inclusion for women in Bangladesh. 

Through gender-sensitive training and the promotion of equal opportunities, he said, the festival demonstrated how women's empowerment expands new horizons of opportunity for the country. 

Kuck also said that by implementing such inspiration, it is possible to build an even more inclusive Bangladesh.

According to the release, the two-day high-level event celebrated women's empowerment through skills development and employment. 

It also highlighted discussions on a women-friendly and inclusive approach to skills development in the country. 

Through various panel discussions, workshops, and cultural programmes, the event showcased women's leadership, skill enhancement, and opportunities for inclusive employment.

International experts from Nepal, USA, Austria, Germany and UNICEF shared global insights on inclusive vocational education and future skills for women, guiding NSDA's strategy to increase labour market participation of young, disadvantaged, and vulnerable women.