'More budgetary allocation needed to support women entrepreneurs¿

President of Nari Sangbadik Kendra Nasimun Ara Huq speaks at a seminar at the National Press Club in the city yesterday. On her right is economist Dr Atiur Rahman and on her left is Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha Executive Director Rokeya Kabir. PHOTO: STAR

Though the women issues were highlighted in the budget speech, the allocation for women is negligible, said economist Dr Atiur Rahman.

The allocation for women's development projects was 5.1 percent in 2001, which is reduced to one percent in 2006-07 fiscal, he added.

Nari Sangbadik Kendra, a centre for women journalists, Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha (BNPS) and the Institute of Environment and Development (IED) jointly organised the seminar titled 'Study on the role of national budget in developing entrepreneurship among women in Bangladesh' at the National Press Club in the city.

Dr Atiur said women are not benefiting much from the budget although they are making a significant contribution to society. A post-budget analysis should take place to evaluate the budgetary allocation for women, he added.

Though an increasing number of women are found self-employed in the area of micro-entrepreneurship, their number is very small in big firms, he said.

The number of women studying in madrasa has also gone up and these women never contribute to reproductive sectors such as industry and garments, he added.

"Empowerment of women will not be ensured unless they are engaged in productive sector."

President of Nari Sangbadik Kendra Nasimun Ara Huq moderated the seminar while Shahnaz Sumi of BNPS read out a study paper prepared by Pratima Pal Majumder.

The number of women entrepreneurs has increased three-fold in the last eight years, but lack of opportunities for education and training, non-availability of business-related information, various obstacles to getting loan and social prejudices hold them back, the study said.

It recommended initiating projects under development budget at productive sector, providing direct assistance to women entrepreneurs, provision of technical assistance programme in the national budget and providing tax holiday facilities to the organisations working to promote entrepreneurship among women.

Former principal secretary SA Samad, Executive Director of IED Noman Ahmed Khan and Executive Director of BNPS Rokeya Kabir were also present.