Ensuring genuine women’s empowerment in Bangladesh requires greater participation of women at the policy-making level, said Brigadier General (Rtd) M Sakhawat Hussain, Adviser, Ministry of Labour and Employment, during the inauguration of HERizon Fest: Celebrating Women, Skills and Employment in Dhaka on Monday.

Speaking at the national event organized by the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) with technical support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the Adviser highlighted that nearly half of Bangladesh’s population is female, most of whom are young.

We must create employment opportunities for this vast workforce through proper skills development training both at home and abroad. To boost overseas employment, effective communication and strategic skill training for women must be ensured at government and private levels,” adviser said.

True women’s empowerment is impossible without their participation in decision-making processes. This requires creating greater representation of women in Parliament and strengthening their leadership capacities. Women must be more actively engaged in the country’s policy-making,” he added.

He also underscored the vital role of women in the national economy, noting that around 70 percent of women are engaged in the garment sector.

Women contribute significantly to GDP growth and economic progress, yet their work is still undervalued in many parts of society. The government is actively working to establish the rights of female workers in informal sectors,” he added.

Adviser highlighted NSDA’s pivotal role in building a skilled workforce, stating that Bangladesh has nearly six million employable people who can play a key role in the economy if adequately trained.

With proper training, women can be integrated into the mainstream of empowerment and participate effectively in economic development,” he said.

During the event, the Adviser also visited stalls showcasing products made by women entrepreneurs.

The two-day HERizon Fest (6–7 October) celebrates women’s empowerment through skills and employment and promotes dialogue on gender-responsive and inclusive approaches to skills development in Bangladesh.

The inauguration was attended by high-level officials, including Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy on International Affairs to the Chief Adviser, M. Saifullah Panna, Secretary of the Chief Adviser’s Office, and Shoaib Ahmad Khan, Additional Secretary, Technical and Madrasah Education Division.

Dr Rüdiger Lotz, Ambassador of Germany to Bangladesh, was present as Guest of Honour, while Dr Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury, Executive Chairman (Secretary) of NSDA, presided over the ceremony.

The fest features interactive workshops on gender-responsive competency-based training, private sector engagement, and equitable access for disadvantaged groups.

Over 450 participants, including government representatives, development partners, Skills Training Providers (STPs), academia, industry leaders, civil society, women’s networks, and international experts from countries including Nepal, USA, Austria, Germany, and UNICEF, are attending.

The workshops aim to inform NSDA’s strategy for inclusive skills development and enhance labour market participation among young, disadvantaged, and vulnerable women.