Speakers at a discussion yesterday stressed the importance of increased role of female union parishad members in agricultural policy designs and reducing the risks of climate change.
Female members of union parishads can bring their wealth of experience to the betterment of grassroots communities and provide fresh insights into agricultural decisions and projects, said Zarina Rahman Khan, a professor of Dhaka University.
She was speaking at a programme titled “Women Leadership in Local Government for Food Security and Climate Finance” organised by Oxfam at the National Press Club.
“Women have been historically playing an important role in seed selection and storage, vegetable cultivation and other aspects, by using their knowledge,” she said.
However, according to Suraiya Akhter, a member of Pirojpur Sadar Union Parishad, female members sometimes have to face obstacles from their male counterparts while participating in decision-making processes.
She said: “Female members can play an important role in improving the agricultural sector and reducing risks associated with climate change, provided they are given adequate space and opportunities.”
Another UP member, Nazma Akhter from Bogra, spoke in the vein and stressed elimination of discrimination against women especially in respect of government-provided services and opportunities such as “Agriculture Card.”
“Our agricultural sector will flourish further if female UP members can be empowered,” she added.
