Empowered women will build Smart Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s words of encouragement to present and future women leaders should act as a catalyst for more women to embrace leadership roles.

With Bangladesh on the path towards progress and prosperity, it becomes imperative to harness the potential of women in leadership roles. After all, this journey to fulfill our potential will be incomplete without women playing a major role, and their empowerment is not just a matter of equality but of strategic necessity.

Bangladesh must embrace the transformative power of gender equality, particularly in leadership positions. While we have seen increasing participation from women with each passing year, their collective voices remain underrepresented, and we can as a nation do so much more to bring their perspective, experiences, and approach to problem-solving and ultimately, nation building.

The inclusion of women in leadership roles is not merely a token gesture towards diversity; it is a pragmatic strategy for driving innovation, fostering inclusive growth, and ensuring sustainable development.

Studies have consistently shown that companies and organizations with gender-diverse leadership outperform their counterparts, demonstrating higher levels of profitability, productivity, and employee satisfaction. The same principles apply to the realm of governance, where diverse perspectives lead to more effective policies and greater societal well-being.

When women lead, they become role models and catalysts for change, inspiring future generations to break free from the shackles of gender stereotypes and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination. By nurturing female leaders across all sectors - be it politics, business, academia, or civil society - we can inspire more than half of our future generation of leaders to continue in their path.

If Bangladesh is to become an inclusive and prosperous nation in the next two decades, then ensuring the ascent of women to positions of leadership is non-negotiable.