On 21st April 2026 at 3:15 PM, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) organized a roundtable discussion titled “Prospects and Challenges of Women’s Economic Empowerment: Towards a Gender-Responsive Budget” at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka. The session was chaired by Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of BMP, while the introductory speech was delivered by General Secretary Maleka Banu.
Distinguished economist Dr. Selim Jahan and Dr. Sadia Sharmin, Additional Secretary of the Planning Division under the Ministry of Planning, attended as special guests. The discussion featured prominent speakers including Professor Sharmind Neelormi of Jahangirnagar University, Professor Dr. Atonu Rabbani, Research Director, General Economic Division, BIDS; Professor of Economics at the University of Dhaka, Dr. Azreen Karim of BIDS, Sabina Parvin from the World Bank Bangladesh, Pritilata Khandakar Haque from CPD, and Ishrat Sharmin from SANEM.
Speakers emphasized that women’s economic empowerment cannot be separated from social and political empowerment. They talked the importance of women’s access to employment, financial inclusion, technology, property rights, and decision-making power. Discussions also highlighted the need for safe and inclusive workplaces, gender-responsive planning, climate-sensitive policies, and stronger monitoring of gender budget allocations.
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad’s General Secretary Maleka Banu said in her introductory remarks the organization has been working for gender equality for the past 56 years. She emphasized that equality in family, society, and the state requires eliminating discrimination against women. Referring to the current global crisis, she noted that women are disproportionately affected by human rights violations and economic insecurity.
She identified major barriers to women’s economic empowerment, including lack of production-oriented education, inadequate skills, restrictions on women’s mobility, low wages, limited access to resources and technology, unpaid domestic labour, and child marriage. She also noted that women’s income is often treated as secondary, limiting their social recognition and decision-making power.
Despite these challenges, women continue to participate in the labour market to improve their livelihoods. She stressed that the upcoming national budget should prioritize skills development, technology investment, redistribution of household responsibilities, dignified wages, safe working conditions, and regulated working hours to strengthen women’s economic empowerment.
Renowned economist Dr. Selim Jahan emphasized three key dimensions of women’s economic empowerment. He stated that no one can truly “empower” another person; rather, families, society, and the state can create an enabling environment that supports empowerment. He mentioned that genuine empowerment requires the freedom to influence, manage, and control important aspects of one’s life. He further noted that economic empowerment cannot be viewed separately from social and political empowerment. Dr. Jahan highlighted on ensuring women’s economic empowerment requires expanding employment opportunities, financial inclusion, equal access to information and technology, and overcoming existing gaps in ownership and access to resources. Women must have control over resources and the freedom to make economic decisions independently. He also emphasized the importance of addressing inequality at the individual level. Referring to security as a fundamental prerequisite, he stated that true economic empowerment for women cannot be achieved without ensuring personal security, protection from violence, and economic security.
Dr. Sadia Sharmin, Additional Secretary of the Planning Division under the Ministry of Planning, stated that discussions on women’s empowerment must begin by identifying the existing challenges, followed by determining effective ways to address them. She emphasized the importance of ensuring equal opportunities and dignity for women in the labour market and giving priority to sector-based development initiatives for women’s economic empowerment. She noted that long-standing issues persisting over the past 56 years require multidimensional measures and stressed the need for community-based monitoring mechanisms. In terms of infrastructure development, she highlighted the importance of addressing women’s actual needs. She also emphasized the need for data-driven approaches to raise awareness and set development priorities effectively. Dr. Sharmin further stated that research should identify what additional support and facilities can accelerate women’s advancement and economic participation. She underscored the importance of considering the needs and realities of women from groups with special needs and marginalized communities in all development planning and policy measures. Panelists further noted that gender budgeting should focus not only on reducing risks but also on ensuring women’s economic security through stable income, social protection, and crisis support. They called for greater investment in human development, productive education, skills training, and care economy initiatives.
Dr. Fauzia Moslem talked about the importance of women’s economic independence, elimination of violence against women, and ensuring women’s rights to property and inheritance. Representatives from member organizations of the Social Action Committee, including ActionAid Bangladesh, Shakti Foundation, BLAST, Dhaka YWCA of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Trade Union Centre, Naripokkho, Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha, and ADAB, attended the roundtable discussion. Leaders of the Central Committee of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP), members of the secretaries, officials, and journalists from print and electronic media were also present. Approximately 130 participants attended the event. The session was moderated by Rabeya Khatun Shanti, Secretary of the Movement Sub-Committee of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP).
