Extra climate funding needed for women entrepreneurs: Adviser Farida

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has stressed the need for additional financing from global public-sector climate-risk funds to support women entrepreneurs and all others facing climate-induced vulnerabilities.

"Those who run environment-friendly and sustainable businesses with climate risks in mind must be prioritised under these funds," she said at a seminar titled 'Voices for Change: Putting Climate Action, Women Entrepreneurs, and SMEs in Bangladeshi Public Policy' held at a city hotel today (6 December).

Farida said promoting women entrepreneurs should not only be about increasing numbers, but ensuring their visibility in economic activities.

"Although institutions like Bangladesh Bank and SME Foundation provide special support for women entrepreneurs, the overall scope is still insufficient despite women making up 51% of the population. Women themselves must claim their rightful share of opportunities," she added.

Highlighting the significance of small and medium enterprises, Farida said SMEs are the largest source of employment generation in the country, offering 50–60% employment potential for women.

Each woman entrepreneur, she noted, creates opportunities for several other women.

Praising women's financial discipline, she said it is a proven fact that women repay loans responsibly. "So, loan support for women should be expanded."

Turning to the impact of climate change, the adviser said earthquakes may strike once, but climate change is a daily crisis.

Although Bangladesh contributes little to global carbon emissions, it remains among the seven most climate-vulnerable countries, she added.

Recalling her experience as the head of Bangladesh's delegation to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Farida said women's voices were not given due recognition in climate negotiations.

She noted that non-environment-friendly agricultural and livestock practices in Bangladesh are contributing to increased carbon emissions. However, the ministry is working to reduce methane emissions by improving cattle feed.

"Meanwhile, industrialised nations' large-scale livestock production is responsible for far higher emissions," the adviser added.

Farida identified the fisheries sector as the biggest victim of climate change, with declining hilsa availability in rivers and the sea, and expanding low-oxygen zones in ocean areas posing grave threats to marine resources.

Speakers at the seminar called for stronger participation of women entrepreneurs and SMEs in combating climate impacts, along with sustainable policy support for these sectors.

They also emphasised women's role in building a climate-resilient economy and the need to expand the SME sector, urging public-private collaboration to drive growth, create jobs, and achieve sustainable development goals.