Four key-note papers were presented in two sessions today August 07, 2022, the first day of 2-day long international conference on ‘Bangamata: A Paragon of Women’s Leadership and Nation-building in Bangladesh’ organized by Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nessa Center for Gender and Development Studies of Dhaka University at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban.

Aroma Dutta, MP delivered the 1st key-note speech on ‘Politics of Being a Political Woman in Bangladesh’ while Director of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Research Institute for Peace and Liberty of Dhaka University Prof. Dr. Fakrul Alam took part in the discussion.

Former President of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh Prof. Mahfuza Khanam delivered the 2nd key-note speech on ‘Women Space and Struggle in Politics’ while Ambassador M. Humayan Kabir took part in the discussion. The session was chaired by Executive Director of Research Initiatives of Bangladesh Dr. Meghna Guhathakurta.

Director of the Poverty Practice, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), New York Prof. Dr. Selim Jahan delivered the 3rd key-note speech on ‘Women Agency in Social and Economic Development: Progress, Challenges and Way Forward’ while Pro-Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University Prof. Dr. Mahbuba Nasreen took part in the discussion.

Country Economist of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh Dr. Nazneen Ahmed delivered the 4th key-note speech on ‘Women Entrepreneurship, Female Labor and Workplace Safety: Experiences from Offline and Online Marketplaces’ while Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh Dr. Fahmida Khatun took part in the discussion. This session was presided over by Director General of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies Dr. Binayak Sen.

The speakers paid glowing tributes to the memory of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nessa and recalled her supreme sacrifice and great contributions to our nation-building. They thanked and expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for inaugurating ‘Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nessa Center for Gender and Development Studies’ and the international conference on ‘Bangamata: A Paragon of Women’s Leadership and Nation-building in Bangladesh’ earlier today.

(Mahmood Alam)

Director

Public Relations Office

University of Dhaka