A summit titled 'Women in Leadership' called for a world of equality through the participation, expertise and leadership of emerging women in the public and private sectors.
The conference was organized by Wave Foundation under the 'Women in Leadership' project with the support of the British Council at a hotel in the capital on Saturday
Bangladesh Civil Service Women's Network (BCSWN) and Clore Social Leadership UK also participated in the summit.
Project representatives of BCSWN and Young Women Professionals, civil society members, students and media representatives participated in the conference.
Eminent Human Rights activist and Member of Parliament Aroma Dutta was present as chief guest at the summit.
Bangladesh Open University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) and Dhaka University Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies Professor Dr. Mahbuba Nasreen., Saila Farzana, additional secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration and secretary general of Bangladesh Civil Service Women's Network, Mohsin Ali, executive director of Wave Foundation and Tamim Mustafa, senior programme manager of the British Council, were present as special guests.
Two thematic panel discussions were held at the summit.
In her speech as chief guest, Aroma Dutta said, 'The time has come to protect gender equality through equal participation of women, increasing women's skills and creating opportunities for them to build a developed country.
Emphasizing on ensuring gender equality in every aspect of development Dr. Mahbuba Nasreen said, 'Women face more problems due to disasters. Nevertheless, women are the champions. Women are playing a major role in environmental conservation through folk education. Participation and dissemination of knowledge must be linked.
Saila Farzana, additional secretary, said, 'Coordinating the BCS Women Network's vision and mission to ensure gender equality and women leadership within the cadre service has taken this programme in partnership with the British Council in an important direction.
“Our mutual cooperation will continue in future. Keeping women behind and identifying the weak points and developing leadership, everyone should move forward with sensitive behavior, speaking practice, courage.'’ She added.
The inaugural session was followed by two panel discussions on 'Building a World of Equality with Participation, Skills and Leadership' and 'Investing in Women's Advancement'.
In the panel discussion, Professor of Women and Gender Studies Department of Dhaka University. Sanjida Akhter; Syeda Jasmine Sultana Milki, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Corona Cell; Dhaka University English Department Lecturer Benazir Elahi Munni; National Curriculum and Textbook Board Editor Urmila Khaled, Grameen Phone Head of Service Delivery Shaila Rahman, Narayanganj Deputy Director, Local Government Maureen Karim, Chandpur Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Manowara Begum, Rajshahi University student Tasmia Haque Moushumi among others, spoke at the summit.
The 'Women in Leadership Summit' is the concluding event of the Women in Leadership Programme in Bangladesh. The aim of this initiative is to advance the process of women leadership development and women empowerment.