Dhaka Roundtable Explores Actionable Strategies for Advancing Women's Economic Empowerment

• ‘Jasmine’ project’s implementation will strengthen women in agriculture by leadership and nutritional outcomes through coordinated public-private partnership
• Women require access to climate-resilient technologies, affordable credit, training and inclusive market systems

At a roundtable in Dhaka, experts recently emphasized the critical role of women farmers in achieving sustainable agriculture. Empowering women requires access to climate-resilient technologies, affordable credit, training, and inclusive market system. Panelists emphasized the need for a national rollout of the ‘Jasmine’ initiative, coupled with sustainable frameworks that promote women’s leadership and enhance nutritional development through integrated efforts between government and industry stakeholders.

Effective awareness-building initiatives such as the ‘Utthan Boithok’ meetings and ‘Homestead Vegetable Gardens’ were commended during the session, with stakeholders noting the added value of involving religious leaders to communicate key development messages through constructive and tolerant disclosure.

Hosted at The Business Standard seminar hall, the roundtable titled, ‘Inclusive Market Systems for WEE: Success, Opportunities, and Collaboration’ to explore actionable strategies for advancing women’s economic empowerment, particularly within rural and agricultural sectors. The event was organized by MR Consultants Ltd in partnership with TBS and moderated by Saleem Ahmed, associate editor of The Business Standards.

Speaking at the event, Syed Abu Siam Zulkarnain emphasized the impact of integrated livelihood models and off-farm ventures as key drivers of women’s self-sufficiency. He pointed to the success of ‘Nari Stand’ in elevating women’s market presence and reported a 70% rise in the Minimum Diet Diversity for Women index as a tangible outcome.

Chandan Z Gomes, senior director of Operations and Programme Quality at World Vision Bangladesh, "Sustainable economic empowerment for rural women is not possible without new technological training, easy access to agricultural credit, and market-friendly infrastructure. Strengthening public-private partnerships and involving religious leaders will further aid this effort."