2024-03-11 14:31:06
Minister of State for Finance Wasika Ayesha Khan has commented that all companies listed in the country’s capital market should have at least one female independent director. He said, ensuring equal rights of women is ensuring human rights. It is very important for today’s women to be confident. Women’s empowerment cannot be ensured through government or policy alone.
He said these things in the speech of the chief guest at the seminar titled ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality’ at the Dhaka Stock Exchange on Sunday (March 10).
The seminar was organized by DSE, International Finance Corporation (IFC), UN Global Compact, Sustainable Stock Exchange, UN Women and the World Federation of Exchanges on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
The Finance Minister said, ‘The government is working for the development of women. At the same time, the mentality of the society must also be changed. Besides the male colleagues who are there, they also have to come forward with cooperative attitude towards women. Women need to have confidence in whatever field of work, that I can do it.’
He also said, ‘The change must be done from the society. The government may make the policy but we have to implement it. Women are not rivals to men in the workplace. Women are capable of multi-tasking in a short period of time. If they get a good working environment at work, they can do even the most difficult work.’
Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Prof. Shibli Rubaiyat-ul-Islam, who was the special guest at the event, said that God has created men and women on earth with different abilities. Not just doing the right thing, but doing it smartly. In the workplace, their rights are being ensured along with exposure to their work and qualifications.
He said, ‘We are working to bring women forward in all fields. From entrepreneurs to individual directors of an organization, women are now working. According to the code of corporate governance, we give priority, opportunities and responsibilities to women. Apart from men, they are being given separate investment and entrepreneurial business opportunities. So that women can contribute to the country’s economy through investment, we have given that opportunity and are working.’
Chairman of the seminar, Professor Dr. Dhaka Stock Exchange. Hafiz Md. Hasan Babu said, ‘Currently women are working at different levels. In many cases he is acting as an independent director of a company. Which are mainly at city level. But still women have to face some problems in many areas in village and society as a whole. Until the right role of women can be ensured, the development of the country is not possible.’
At the beginning of the seminar, DSE Managing Director ATM Tarikuzzaman said in his welcome speech, investing in women, accelerating their progress and working to build a world where every person has the opportunity to thrive regardless of gender discrimination. March 8 Women’s Day is a day to raise awareness about gender equality and promote women’s rights and empowerment.