A discussion meeting was held on Saturday at the training hall of Nari Unnayan Shakti under the theme ‘The national budget must be increased to ensure women’s safety, skills, employment, and overall advancement’ on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
The programme was jointly organized by Nari Unnayan Shakti (NUS), Forum for Culture and Human Development (FCHD), Young Women for Development, Rights and Climate (YWDRC), and Domestic Worker Employer Association Bangladesh (DWEAB).
The keynote speaker, Dr Afroja Parvin, executive director of Nari Unnayan Shakti and President of DWEAB, emphasized that increasing government budget allocations for women’s development, skills training, employment generation, and social protection is essential to ensure women’s safety and economic empowerment.
Sahida Wahab, president of FCHD, highlighted that ensuring women’s rights is crucial for national development and requires joint efforts from both the government and civil society.
Nusrat Sultana Afroj, executive chairperson of YWDRC, stressed the importance of strengthening young women’s leadership, expanding technical and digital skills, and creating climate-resilient employment opportunities.
Nasima Khan, Secretary General of DWEAB, emphasized the need for legal protection, fair wages, and social security for women working in informal sectors, including domestic workers.
Dr Sultan Muhammad Razzak, member of the Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum, underscored the importance of safe workplaces and improved access to loans and market opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
Other speakers included Freedom Fighter and labor leader Abul Hossain, Tasnuva Haque (SHILID), Murshida Akhter (NDWWU), Swapna Akter (BMWF), Advocate Laizu Akter (BHWF), and Asha Akter, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Health Service Workers Association.
During the meeting, participants presented the following ten-point demands to the government:
1. Ensure effective law enforcement and access to justice to guarantee women’s safety.
2. Increase national budget allocations for women’s safety, skills development, and employment.
3. Expand women’s access to technology, digital skills, and technical training.
4. Provide easier access to loans, markets, and business support for women entrepreneurs.
5. Strengthen monitoring systems to prevent sexual harassment and violence in workplaces.
6. Ensure legal recognition and social protection for women working in the informal sector, including domestic workers.
7. Guarantee safe transportation and secure working environments for women.
8. Expand skills development and employment opportunities for rural women.
9. Ensure access to education, healthcare, and proper nutrition for women and adolescent girls.
10. Increase women’s participation in leadership and decision-making at all levels.
The speakers expressed hope that the government and relevant stakeholders will take effective measures to ensure women’s safety, dignity, and economic empowerment.
bd-pratidin/GR
