Bangladesh has a paradigm shift in all spheres of development in the last decade. Self-sufficiency in food, consistent GDP growth, stable public policy, and unparalleled improvement in social indicators including gender parity in education have been the hallmark of these development. The country has outperformed the neighboring countries in numerous social yardsticks and overall development is enviable.
These developments have become possible because of the wider participation of women in all sectors of the economy, particularly, export-oriented industries. However, the participation of women in leadership positions and entrepreneurship is yet to reach the desired level.
With the objectives of narrowing down the gap of women’s participation in employment-generating activities, expanding the horizon of their knowledge and skills, ameliorating their plights and upholding their rights AGWEB was established in .. The network of the Association has been gradually expanded throughout the country.
The Association is now facilitating improvement of the business environment for women and aiding them where they experience hurdle. The AGWEB has been providing networking opportunities for members to enable them to share information, meet stakeholders and manage industry-specific awards. It imparts training; organizes workshop and seminars both in major cities and far flung areas. The Association has been creating facilities and encouraging participation of the self-employed women engaged in MSME and unemployed women who desire to participate in similar activities
By the tireless efforts of AGWEB, a significant numbers of the target women have become productive, self-reliant and some of them have transformed their businesses into small scale enterprise. Instead of being employed they transformed them to employer
AGWEB has been actively considering establishment of a “Women Trade Center” as a one stop solution for women entrepreneur. In the trade center having all the state of the art facilities, the women entrepreneurs be able interact with foreign clients, present their products and services, have advocacy, documentation support, banking support guideline and other services.
Awareness-raising programs of the Association on Food and Nutrition for pregnant women and newborns have been highly praised. Encouraged by it, the Association has ventured into assisting HIV-positive patients, sex workers and marginal people.
To help achieve millennial and sustainable development goals, the AGWEB has developed “Know about Business” (KAB), a practical tool that highlights the challenges faced by the youths and suggested remedial measures thereon. These Apps., is acting as a real-life problem-solving simulators for unemployed youths.
We have firm confidence in the ability of our women. Gender equality in all facets of lives will not remain a dream in near future.
Mousumi Islam
President