Workshop held on empowering rural women

A milestone event titled "Validation and Action Planning Workshop on Women's Empowerment in Bangladesh Agriculture" was successfully held today at the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), Dhaka. Organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and CAB International (CABI), the workshop focused on validating the findings of a comprehensive baseline study under the PlantwisePlus programme, aimed at economically empowering women in agriculture, according to a press release received on Sunday.

Women in Bangladesh play vital yet under-recognized roles in farming, livestock, and agro-processing, often facing structural barriers in access to resources, finance, technology, and decision-making. The CABI-commissioned baseline report, led by Dr. Azmul Huda and partners, sheds light on these challenges and presents practical recommendations to bridge gender gaps in agriculture.

The event commenced with opening remarks by Dr. Md. Saleh Ahmed, CABI Country Representative, followed by a presentation of key findings by Dr. Azmul Huda, Gender Consultant. Esteemed guests including Dr. Nazmun Nahar Karim, Executive Chairman of BARC, and Mr. Md. Saiful Alam, Director General of DAE, emphasized institutional support for gender-inclusive agricultural policy.

Breakout group discussions, led by Dr Abdul Rehman, Dr. Sandra Phelps and Dr. Sajila Khan from CABI, enabled stakeholders to collaboratively design strategic action points and a roadmap for implementation. Key focus areas included policy reforms, access to digital tools, safe mobility, and leadership development for women farmers.

The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Anisur Rahman, reiterating the importance of collective ownership and inter-agency collaboration for gender transformation in agriculture.

This validation event sets the tone for actionable and inclusive agricultural strategies that place women at the heart of Bangladesh's rural development agenda, the press release concludes.