'Give to Gain' model suggested to boost women’s corporate leadership
The proposed "Give to Gain" model seeks to move women from economic participation to leadership roles through better access to finance, mentorship and business networks.
Entrepreneurs from Bangladesh and Japan have unveiled the "Give to Gain" model, urging coordinated support from the government, financial institutions, the private sector and development partners to help women advance from entrepreneurship to corporate leadership.
The model calls for training, mentorship, easier financing, supply chain inclusion, safe workplaces and greater representation of women on corporate boards.
The "Give to Gain" approach is about creating opportunities for women to participate in policy and decision-making across all sectors – the "give". The 'gain' is that, over time, women will be able to make a much greater contribution to national policymaking.
Presented at the Japan-Bangladesh Business Women Conference 2026 held in Dhaka today (26 July), experts said the initiative could develop skilled women entrepreneurs, create jobs, raise productivity, strengthen corporate governance and support sustainable economic growth.
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The conference, themed "Empowering Women in Business: Driving Sustainable Growth through Give to Gain," was jointly organised by the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI), the Japan Center for International Affairs and Development, and the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro).
JBCCI Secretary General Maria Howlader FCA, managing partner of Howlader Maria & Co Chartered Accountants, presented the keynote theme at the event.
Leadership gap despite progress
Bangladesh ranks 24th among 148 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025, with a gender parity score of 77.5%.
Although women's participation has expanded in education, healthcare, agriculture, banking, public administration and the garment sector, they occupy only 6.17% of independent director positions on corporate boards. In Japan, women hold 20.5% of board seats and 16.3% of management positions, though both remain below OECD and global averages.
The keynote said Bangladesh's journey has progressed from social inclusion to economic participation and entrepreneurship, and should now focus on expanding women's roles in corporate leadership, investment, exports and global business networks.
Participants identified lack of collateral, weak financial documentation, limited business networks and family caregiving responsibilities as the main barriers facing women entrepreneurs, calling for policies that help them move from "micro to small" and "local to global".
Seven recommendations, five commitments
The conference proposed seven recommendations to the government, including a national roadmap for women's economic empowerment through 2030, 20-30% female representation on corporate boards, easier access to finance, expanded skills development programmes and the creation of a Bangladesh-Japan Women Entrepreneurs Accelerator.
Japanese entrepreneur Shiori Onishi, Co-CEO of Euglena CG Ltd, proposed three measures: establishing a cross-border mentorship network between Bangladeshi and Japanese women leaders, creating a regular platform for women entrepreneurs to exchange experiences, and promoting gender equality within families by ensuring equal opportunities for sons and daughters.
Bangladesh-Japan ties built on trust: Afroza
Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam described Bangladesh and Japan as partners built on trust, thanking Japan for its longstanding support in infrastructure, industrialisation and human resource development.
Highlighting women's empowerment, she said successive initiatives have expanded women's education and economic participation, noting that former prime minister Khaleda Zia introduced free education for girls up to the secondary level, while BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has pledged to extend it through graduation.
