Photo: Courtesy
Nari Maitree, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to women's empowerment, hosted a thought-provoking discussion session today at the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation in Agargaon. The session focused on empowering women entrepreneurs to tackle the adverse effects of climate change and environmental challenges.
The event chaired by Masuma Alam, president of Nari Maitree, brought together esteemed guests, including Meher Afroz Chumki MP, former State Minister for Women and Children Affairs and Members of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Public Administration, Shabnam Jahan Shila, MP Hon'ble Members of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Social Welfare, Md. Saidur Rahman Director General NGO Affairs Bureau, Prime Minister's Office, Khadija Mariam Head of Women Entrepreneur Cell SME Banking Division, BRAC Bank and Md. Nazeem Hassan Sattar, General Manager, SME Foundation.
The discussion highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on women, with statistics from the United Nations revealing that 80 percent of those displaced by climate-related disasters are women.
Panelists emphasized the urgent need to address the unique challenges faced by women, including displacement, loss of livelihoods, and increased vulnerability to gender-based violence.
Shaheen Akter Dolly, Executive Director of Nari Maitree, underscored the organization's commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in small and medium industries.
She emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment for women to thrive in business and contribute to sustainable development.
Masuma Alam, president of Nari Maitree, expressed optimism about the role of women entrepreneurs in driving positive change. She stressed the need for greater support and recognition of women's contributions to society and called for collective efforts to empower women economically and socially.
Meher Afroz Chumki commended the resilience and determination of today's women entrepreneurs, likening them to the sun rising with unstoppable force. She urged stakeholders to prioritize the inclusion of rural women in development initiatives to ensure no one is left behind.
The event concluded with a commitment from all participants to work collaboratively towards empowering women entrepreneurs and building a more resilient and inclusive society.
Messenger/Mumu
