Bangladesh Bank wants to accelerate financial inclusion of women

Bangladesh Bank organized a workshop to bring financially underserved women into the formal financial system on Tuesday 29 Sept 2026.

Dhaka, Sept 29– Bangladesh Bank organized a workshop to bring financially underserved women into the formal financial system.

The title of the workshop was "Accelerating Financial Inclusion of Women" at the CSS Awa Center in Rupsha Upazila of Khulna recently.

Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman attended the program as the chief guest, while NAU Director Shayema Islam presided over the session.

Speaking on the occasion, discussants highlighted the importance of inclusive financing, analyzed the current scenario for marginal women, identified existing barriers, and outlined strategies to overcome them. 

They stressed expanding special credit facilities for women, promoting digital financial services, enhancing opportunities in e-commerce and freelancing, boosting financial literacy, and formulating necessary inclusive policies.

A total of 10 financial service booths were set up on the workshop premises by banks, finance companies, mobile financial service providers (MFSPs), and microfinance institutions. Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, along with participating women, visited the booths, where several marginal women opened financial service accounts and received basic guidance on financial products.

Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Rup Ratan Pine and Bangladesh Bank Khulna Director SM Kamaluzzaman Kamal attended the event as special guests. The workshop was moderated by NAU Additional Director Shahana Ferdousi.

Khulna University Development Studies Discipline Associate Professor Dr. Md. Hasan Howlader, Microcredit Regulatory Authority Director Mohammad Kamal Hossain, and senior officials from various financial institutions took part in the discussion.

Underprivileged women and local women entrepreneurs shared their personal experiences during the workshop, and an awareness quiz competition was organized for the participants.

A total of 120 individuals, including representatives from banks, finance companies, MFS providers, microcredit organizations, and financially excluded women, participated in the workshop. - UNB