Introducing myself and my journal: Breaking the Silence

The full inclusion of women in the economic process is extremely critical for overall economic development. This is particularly true when women constitute half of the total population and represents half of the talent and potential of the country. Yet many economic players have not yet taken the necessary measures to enhance the active participation of women and their full inclusion in the economy. Full inclusion meaning that women not only have the right to get the same conditions to conduct business and progress as their male counterparts, but also that they have a voice in the business and economic policies and in the various economic decision-making processes.

The present women entrepreneurial capacity building and micro finance programs have paved very important foundation to further the initiatives of the women entrepreneurs. However, because of inadequate access to various important services such as market information, business opportunities, business services, etc., as well as lack of platform to voice their concerns to the appropriate government and non-government authorities for policy changes, has seriously impeded the desired growth of women business and industries.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
The project would pursue several objectives expected to generate positive short and long term results with regard to the promotion of women workers’ rights in (currently focusing on agriculture sector)

AGRICULTURE SECTOR:
• Organize four women farmers’ association in Dinajpur to work as pressure group
• Raise and increase awareness about women productive work initiatives in agriculture and their right to demand agriculture services and full inclusion of women in the agriculture sector - and the balanced participation and representation of women in agriculture policy making process
• Identify obstacles that prevent women from fully participating in the agriculture sector effectively and profitably
• Arrange dialogues with the local agriculture value chain and government services to remove the constraints
• Develop capacities of other agri related associations, local chamber of commerce, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector enterprises that have not yet actively addressed the question of gender equality and the promotion of women in agriculture sector
• Facilitate sharing of information and knowledge on agriculture policies, value chain and market conditions specially opportunities among the members
• Organize capacity building programs specially negotiating skills for the women members for effective participation in the agriculture sector through improved and enhanced skills and capabilities.
• Collect good practices of the association and the member enterprises as well as other business associations and enterprises that have implemented in favor of the full integration of women in the economic environment and in the decision-making process
• Integrate the women groups with the local agriculture value chain and government services
• Link the women farmers association with upazilla, district and national level sectoral activities
• Increase the number of women farmers participating actively in the agriculture ventures;
• Create a positive environment for women that enable them to efficiently address problems they are facing in their day-to-day business and employment – such as access to bank finance, space allocation in market, access to government resources and facilities (khash land, water bodies, etc.) and to take part in decision-making processes in various business and economic issues.