Desk Report:
Dr. Zubaida Rahman, spouse of the Prime Minister and Vice-President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, has emphasized the need to ensure equal opportunities in education, employment, and leadership to enhance women’s economic empowerment. She noted that although women constitute more than half of the country’s population, their participation in the mainstream economy remains significantly lower compared to men.
She made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on women’s leadership, held at a hotel in the capital on Thursday (November 6, 2026). The seminar was organized as part of the three-day 30th US Trade Show, jointly hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) and the US Embassy in Dhaka.
Dr. Zubaida Rahman stated that, according to 2025 data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the female labour force participation rate in Bangladesh stands at 38.6 percent, compared to 80.4 percent for men. To bridge this significant gap, it is essential to create equal opportunities for women in terms of economic independence, education, employment, and leadership development.
She remarked that the progress of women should not be measured solely by the number of women who have reached top-tier positions. Instead, one must also consider the extent to which other women are empowered to advance by following in their footsteps, and how their leadership—both in the workplace and in society—is driving positive change.
During the seminar, Dr. Zubaida Rahman pointed out that women make up 50.8 percent of Bangladesh’s total population. However, factors such as child marriage, limited access to education, and a lack of adequate healthcare prevent a large number of women from engaging in economic activities. Furthermore, millions of women living in the country’s 90,049 villages remain largely excluded from meaningful economic participation.
She also expressed concern regarding the dropout rate of girls in the education sector. Citing 2023 data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS), she noted that the dropout rate for girls is 34.9 percent at the secondary level and 22.5 percent at the higher secondary level. Meanwhile, the participation rate of women in higher education stands at only 20.8 percent. Therefore, it is essential to ensure consistent support for girls at every level of education.
She noted that merely obtaining an academic degree does not guarantee employment for women. They must be equipped with proficiency in science, technology, and practical skills. Furthermore, opportunities must be created for them to foster innovative thinking, the ability to question, and leadership capabilities.
Zubaida Rahman stated that a government led by Tarique Rahman has pledged to provide free education for girls up to the undergraduate level. Previously, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had made education for girls free up to the 12th grade.
Highlighting the importance of women’s economic independence, she explained that a woman’s ability to earn, save, and make her own financial decisions not only strengthens her personal life but also enhances the overall capacity of her family. Economic independence is not limited to earning an income; it also encompasses the power to make decisions regarding one’s own future.
She also mentioned various initiatives regarding the employment of women in the health sector. According to her, plans are underway to recruit approximately 100,000 healthcare workers, 80 percent of whom will be women. Additionally, there are plans to appoint 25,000 professional midwives to ensure healthcare for women and children.
She further emphasized the necessity of day-care centers for the professional advancement of working women. In her view, measures must be taken to ensure that family responsibilities do not hinder a woman’s career progression. It is also essential to provide opportunities for women to return to the workforce after long breaks and to acquire new skills.
Regarding technological shifts, Zubaida Rahman noted that artificial intelligence (AI), digital services, and emerging technologies are rapidly transforming the nature of the workplace. Ensuring the active participation of women in these fields will make the future economy more inclusive and innovation-driven.
She stressed that ensuring the advancement of women is not the sole responsibility of the government; rather, families, educational institutions, workplaces, and society as a whole must work in a coordinated manner.
The seminar was moderated by Zakia Sultana, Country Manager for Mastercard in Bangladesh. The panel discussion featured Farzana Sharmin, State Minister for Social Welfare; Rupali Haque Chowdhury, President of FICCI; Nazneen Ahmed, Executive Director of the CPD; Trishita Maula, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka; Shu Shiong, President and Managing Director of Chevron Bangladesh; and Rubaba Dowla, Country Managing Director of Oracle.
