Dhaka, Bangladesh, March 31, 2024 – In a bid to address the intersectionality of gender, entrepreneurship, and environmental challenges, a compelling discussion session was hosted on Sunday by Nari Maitree, a prominent non-profit organization dedicated to women's empowerment.
Held at the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation in Agargaon, Dhaka, the event brought together a constellation of influential figures and stakeholders who underscored the urgent need to empower women entrepreneurs to tackle the adverse effects of climate change.
Chaired by Masuma Alam, the president of Nari Maitree, the discussion session witnessed the participation of distinguished guests including Meher Afroz Chumki MP, former State Minister for Women and Children Affairs; Shabnam Jahan Shila MP, Members of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Social Welfare; Md. Saidur Rahman, Director General of 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 conversation gravitated around the alarming statistics provided by the United Nations, revealing that 80 percent of individuals displaced by climate-related disasters are women. Panelists articulated the disproportionate impact of climate change on women, shedding light on the manifold challenges including displacement, loss of livelihoods, and heightened vulnerability to gender-based violence.
Shaheen Akter Dolly, Executive Director of Nari Maitree, reiterated the organization's unwavering commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in small and medium industries. She stressed the imperative of fostering an enabling environment where women can thrive in business and contribute meaningfully to sustainable development efforts.
Masuma Alam, in her address, expressed optimism regarding the pivotal role women entrepreneurs can play in driving positive change. She called for greater support and recognition of women's contributions to society, urging collective efforts to empower women economically and socially.
Meher Afroz Chumki lauded the resilience and determination exhibited by today's women entrepreneurs, drawing a poignant analogy likening them to the unstoppable force of the rising sun. She emphasized the necessity for stakeholders to prioritize the inclusion of rural women in development initiatives, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable progress.
The discussion concluded with a resounding consensus on the imperative of empowering women entrepreneurs as a strategic imperative in the fight against climate change and its cascading effects on vulnerable communities.
