Ensuring gender equality is a must for achieving economic development goals and making them sustainable, speakers said at a programme on Tuesday.
Unfortunately, many women still have to face discrimination in the workplace and in societies despite their capabilities and sincerity, they added.
The speakers observed this at a discussion to celebrate International Women's Day hosted at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) headquarters in Karwanbazar area.
Bangladesh Air Force wing commander Tahmina Khanom, ICAB council member and SAFA Women Leadership Committee chairperson Maria Howlader, Friendship founder Runa Khan, , World Bank lead governance specialist (financial management) Suraiya Zannath Khan, former secretary and PKSF managing director Dr Nomita Halder, and World Bank country director (Bangladesh and Bhutan) Mercy Miyang Tembon, among others, spoke.
The speakers shared their thoughts and experiences to inspire the young minds.
ICAB president Md Shahadat Hossain, and vice-presidents NKA Mobin and Fouzia Haque were present there.
Ms Tembon, who joined virtually, said women, by dint of their qualifications, are leading a number of government or non-government organisations globally, yet they encounter challenges.
Still, there are significant wage differences among male and female staffers for gender identity, she added.
According to Ms Tembon, the development cannot be sustainable unless females are well recognised for their contribution to society and the country.
ICAB president Md Shahadat Hossain says ICAB's women leadership committee is working toward nursing the brilliant youth and focusing on women empowerment and their equal representation in accountancy profession.
To increase the number of enrolment of female CA students, the ICAB has made employment of a certain number of female students in every CA firms mandatory.
Top ICAB officials, successful women and female CA professionals joined the celebratory programme.
