Rural women key to nutrition, economy: Farida Akhtar

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar said rural women are driving both nutrition and the economy by rearing ducks, poultry, cattle and goats—becoming financially self-reliant while supplying eggs, milk and meat.

'If we keep animals healthy, people stay safe. Much of our micro-level nutrition comes from rural women,' she said, adding that development 'is impossible without them'.

She was speaking as chief guest at a national seminar entitled 'Rural Women in Climate Adaptation', organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation to mark International Rural Women's Day 2025, at the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation auditorium.

The adviser said fishers are denied fair earnings under the dadan system and called for its abolition, noting a proposal to establish a Fisheries and Livestock Bank. She urged recognition for women in fishing families, stressed enforcing a national plan to end child marriage and said women must be enabled to 'live with dignity'.

Special guests included Dr Md Hazrat Ali, Director, Department of Agricultural Extension; Katharina Koenig, Deputy Team Leader, Civic Engagement Fund; Rehana Khan, Senior Programme Officer (Democracy, Human Rights, Rule of Law & Gender Equality), Embassy of Sweden; and Meher Nigar Bhuiyan, Programme Manager, EU Resilient Livelihood Programme.
Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, delivered the welcome address. The keynote was presented by Tazwar Mahmid, Project Officer (Campaign & Communications), Manusher Jonno Foundation.

Speakers said women's contributions to climate-resilient agriculture remain under-recognised in society and policymaking. They called for gender-responsive agriculture and climate policies, equal access to land, finance and technology and greater women's participation in decision-making.

The seminar was attended by policymakers, development partners and women farmers from across the country.