Despite challenges, women entrepreneurs continue to contribute to the national economy through their patience, creativity and hard work.
It is thus essential to include them while framing strategies and policies for the recovery process in the post-pandemic period.
This was observed at the opening of a two-day virtual conference styled 'Strategies to Recover from a Global Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs-The Asian Perspective'.
The Bangladesh-India Business Council of Women's Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) hosted the webinar where Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury joined as the chief guest.
Palestinian health minister Mai Al-Kaila joined as the special guest while Indian ambassador in Dhaka Vikram Kumar Doraiswami as the guest of honour.
Former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman, BRAC Bank managing director Selim RF Hussain and SME Foundation managing director Md Mafizur Rahman and Bangladesh-India Business Council of WICCI president Mantasha Ahmed, among others, joined the event.
Addressing the conference, Ms Chaudhury said the pandemic hits hard all economies and businesses, including micro and small entrepreneurs, irrespective of their gender globally.
"Women entrepreneurs are particularly in a disadvantaged situation due to the pandemic," she added.
