Speakers at a special speaker session have stressed the importance of empowering young women entrepreneurs towards fostering an equitable society.

Nari Maitree in collaboration with the Ladies of Liberty Alliance ( LOLA) organised the event titled “Speaker Session on Empowering Women Entrepreneurs for an Equitable Society” in the Professor Latifa Akand meeting room at Nari Maitree’s headquarters in Dhaka on Saturday.

The session was chaired by Shaheen Akter Dolly, Executive Director of Nari Maitree while Shahriar Nasrin, Joint Director of the SME and Special Programs Department of Bangladesh Bank, and Mosammat Farzana Naznin Shammi, senior entrepreneur from Joyeeta Foundation spoke in the programme held.

Z B Nishat, the chapter leader of LOLA Dhaka Bangladesh, gave a presentation summarizing the event and outlining the expected outcomes of the programs.

Shaheen Akter Dolly emphasized that the event aims to inspire women to take initiative in entrepreneurship and leadership roles, provide practical advice and strategies to overcome entrepreneurial challenges, and facilitate connections between aspiring and established women entrepreneurs for mutual support and collaboration. 

Nari Maitree always serves as an inspiration for women entrepreneurs and she committed to supporting them, she said said.

Farzana Naznin Shammi said women are not lagging behind in today's era and achieving success and progressing alongside men in various fields.

Shahriar Nasrin, Joint Director of the SME and Special Programs Department of Bangladesh Bank said that countless opportunities are emerging in Bangladesh with each new woman entrepreneur, enhancing women's empowerment in this digital era.

Women entrepreneurs are participating in industries such as fashion, beauty, and education to meet the growing market demand, which is highly profitable. Women entrepreneurs have secured a significant place in the country's growing economy.

She said the Bangladesh Bank is taking and implementing various steps for the development of women entrepreneurs. 

She also mentioned that Bangladesh Bank has a fund of 3,000 crore taka with an interest rate of only 5% for women entrepreneurs. Additionally, Bangladesh Bank is providing training on financial literacy and has established a Women's Entrepreneur Unit where women entrepreneurs can voice their concerns.