'Govt indifferent to women's empowerment'
They said women's participation in economic activities has increased much due to expansion of garment industry and micro credit.
The roundtable titled 'Achievement of women in economic sector in the last 35 years and responsibilities' was organised jointly by Women's Development Foundation (WDF) and Weekly 2000 at the National Press Club in the city.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The speakers however alleged that the clandestine change in the National Women's Development Policy by the government has thwarted their empowerment.
" The policy formulated in 1997 was women-friendly, but the rights of women have been snatched away by bringing changes in the policy," said Barrister Tania Amir while moderating the discussion.
She said people have the right to know why the policy has been changed without the consent of the women's community.
President of Karmojibi Nari Shirin Akhter said the prime minister should be responsible for bringing the change in the policy where the issues of women's empowerment, equality and their power of decision-making have been omitted.
She demanded of the government to ensure equal wage for women workers, amendment to labour laws, and sharing of total profit.
While presenting the keynote paper at the roundtable, Prof Nasreen Khundker of Dhaka University said women's participation in economic activities increased to 26 percent in 2001-03 which was 16 percent in 1995-96.
"To increase loan facilities for women entrepreneurs and formulation of national budget on the basis of their need in different sectors is a must," she added.
She said identification of impediments for women in getting promotion to administrative posts, and measures to remove them is also important.
Prof Masuda M Rashid, Prof Sultana Shafi of Dhaka University, Rehana Siddika of For You Forever, Hasina Doula of Micro Electronics were also present at the roundtable.