'Give women entrepreneurs equal opportunities'

University Women's Federation College and Women Entrepreneurs Association (WEA) co-organised a seminar, Problems and Prospects of Women Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, in the city yesterday. From left to right are Prof. Razia Begum of Dhaka University, WEA President Rokia Afzal Rahman and State Minister for Education Ehsanul Huq Milon. PHOTO: STAR

They also called for changing the patriarchal mindset and giving the women equal opportunities to help them achieve the desired success in entrepreneurship.

The seminar on 'Problems and prospects of women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh' was organised jointly by the University Women's Federation College and Women Entrepreneurs Association in the city.

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The male-dominated society has limited the prospects of women entrepreneurship, said Prof. Razia Begum of Dhaka University in her keynote paper.

She said the obstacles, the women entrepreneurs are facing, include lack of access to viable credit facilities and awareness of other support services.

President of Women Entrepreneurs Association Rokia Afzal Rahman said women in Bangladesh have moved quite far in achieving their economic independence citing the example of 53 percent enrollment of women at the secondary education level.

"But I express my reservation on the issue of direct election of women to parliament as nothing has been done yet in that regard despite prolonged countrywide women agitation," she added.

"Women are at present a privileged group with positive discrimination in the society," said the State Minister for Education A N M Ehsanul Huq Milon.

Seeking recognition of the services of women, Zinat Ara Bhuiyan, convenor of the seminar committee, said they forge harmony and provide mutual support in the family.

Principal Rashida Hossain, Vice-Chancellor of World University M Habib Ullah, Chairman of Rajshahi Krishi Unnyan Bank Rizvi Ahmed and UNDP National Consultant M A Malek also spoke on the occasion.