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A pivotal national workshop on women’s empowerment in agriculture took center stage in Dhaka, as stakeholders from across Bangladesh gathered to validate key findings and chart an actionable path forward.
The event marked a significant step towards closing gender gaps in rural farming communities, spotlighting strategies to enhance women’s access to resources, leadership opportunities, and decision-making roles in the agricultural sector.
A milestone event titled “Validation and Action Planning Workshop on Women’s Empowerment in Bangladesh Agriculture” was successfully held on Sunday at the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), Dhaka. Organised 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 Plant wise Plus programme, aimed at economically empowering women in agriculture.
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 Md. Saiful Alam, Director General of DAE, emphasised 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.
