Desk Report:
Minister for Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, MP, has said that the main goal of the government is to establish an inclusive and humane society without leaving anyone behind. The government is issuing ‘family cards’ directly in the names of women with a view to further strengthening the inclusion of women in society.
The minister said this at a seminar titled National Seminar on Advocacy for Change in Women’s Economic Empowerment in Bangladesh organized by the Centre for Women and Children Studies (CWCS) at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital on Tuesday (August 11, 2026). The program was presided over by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Naz Farhana.
Highlighting the government’s continuous steps for the advancement of women, the minister said that the late Begum Khaleda Zia, realizing the importance of women’s education, introduced the system of unpaid and stipend education for women, as a result of which women’s participation in the workplace has increased unprecedentedly. Begum Khaleda Zia established the first day-care center in the country so that women can perform their duties safely in the workplace. The current government has taken steps to modernize and expand that day-care facility.
Stating that education is the main basis of employment, the minister said that if proper education and skill development are provided for women, women will not only create employment for themselves, but will also be able to create employment opportunities for other able-bodied people in the society. In this regard, he attached special importance to increasing women’s participation in the Care Economy and Creative Economy. The minister called on everyone to come forward to prevent child marriage, dowry and violence against women in the society.
The speakers at the event called for protecting women’s health, preventing child marriage and ensuring women’s safety at work. At the same time, they emphasized on removing existing barriers to providing women with collateral-free loans and businesses, involving women in income-generating activities, and increasing women’s participation in the decision-making process. Professor Israt Sharmin presented the keynote speech at the event.
Also present at the event were representatives from Agence Française de Développement, South Asian Women’s Development Forum, Bangladesh Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs, Purnima, GERES, various development partners, NGOs, civil society representatives, university teachers, representatives of private organizations, and the media.
