The government remains committed to advancing women’s participation in technology, despite adopting a cautious and cost-conscious approach for the 2025-2026 budget, said Shish Haider Chowdhury, secretary of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division. He made these remarks at the “Women in Technology” seminar organized by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) in Motijheel, Dhaka.
Chowdhury highlighted that 21 projects currently underway under the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunication, and Information Technology focus on equipping women with ICT-based knowledge and skills. These initiatives aim to enhance women’s tech skills, boost their economic participation, and empower them.
He praised the FBCCI for hosting the seminar and emphasized the significance of women’s involvement in technology, particularly in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Chowdhury also called for increased collaboration between the ICT Division and the FBCCI in areas such as innovation, research, and development.
Nurun Nahar Chowdhury, additional secretary (development) at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, addressed the social challenges faced by women, particularly the barriers they encounter in households and communities. She emphasized that to involve women in digital transformation, societal mindsets need to shift.
A delegation from Saudi Arabia, led by Selwa Al-Hazzaa, CEO of health-tech service provider SDM, also attended the seminar. Al-Hazzaa shared her experience of using technology for healthcare and women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia and announced plans to launch health-related tech services in Bangladesh.
FBCCI Administrator Md Hafizur Rahman highlighted the need for improved tech skills among women for global competitiveness. He stressed that as the digital economy grows, more women are joining the workforce and taking on significant roles, and improving their tech skills is crucial for staying competitive on the global stage.
In her keynote address, Rubaba Dowla, country managing director (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan) at Oracle, called for stronger public-private partnerships to provide tech training, foster innovation, and support women’s entrepreneurship. She also urged more investment in women-centric development initiatives.
Other speakers at the seminar included Mahreen Nasir, director of Mir Telecom; Sumaiya Tabassum Ahmed, head of sustainability at PRAN-RFL Group; Sadia Haque, CEO of ShareTrip.com; and Md Aminul Islam, assistant professor at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences.
The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks from Zakir Hossain Nayon, president of the Bangladesh CNG Machineries Importers Association, who thanked all attendees for their valuable contributions to the discussion.
