Women’s Empowerment Must Begin at Home to Build the Nation-Zaima Rahman

By Mahbub Hasan Tutul, Dhaka Correspondent, Bangladesh:

Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, has said that “women’s empowerment must begin at home if we are to build the nation.

She said gender equality is not just a women’s issue; it is a broader economic and national concern. “No country can achieve real and sustainable development by confining half of its population to invisible household labor and social pressure,” she said.

She made these remarks last Sunday at a discussion meeting held at the Krishibid Institute in Khamarbari, Dhaka. The event, titled ‘Women in Nation-Building: Policy, Potential and the Future of Bangladesh’, was organized by the Dhaka Forum. BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury attended as the chief guest.

In her first public speech, she discussed in detail women’s roles, existing challenges, and the importance of family-based education.

At the beginning of her speech, Zaima said, “I believe we all should have the sincerity to contribute to society and the country, even from our small spaces. Today, I have come to listen, to learn, and to move forward with a spirit of working together. The true beauty of democracy lies in people of different views and paths working together for the good of the nation.”

Referring to her upbringing, she said, “My first understanding of women’s power and dignity came from my family. My mother managed both her career as a cardiologist and her family because she received support at home.”

She recalled the visionary steps of her grandfather, the late President Ziaur Rahman, saying, “He was the first to establish the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs for the development of women and girls. Through the garment sector, he also paved the way for economic independence for millions of women.”

She also highlighted her grandmother Begum Khaleda Zia’s contributions to education, stating, “Begum Khaleda Zia’s ‘Food for Education’ and free education programs for girls have been recognized internationally as model initiatives. Even a Nigerian nurse who came to London to treat my grandfather recalled Bangladesh’s progress in women’s education with gratitude.

Describing the current situation, she said, “Equality cannot be achieved by law or policy alone unless our mindset changes.” She noted that women in Bangladesh perform 85 percent of household work without pay, which has an economic value equivalent to 19 percent of GDP. Yet women’s participation in the labor force remains below 40 percent.

She expressed concern that women are often forced to abandon their dreams after marriage or childbirth, as society assumes that such sacrifices must be made by women alone.

Calling online harassment a serious concern, she said that nearly 78 percent of women in Bangladesh face online abuse. Addressing fathers in particular, Zaima Rahman said, “If fathers raise their daughters with confidence from an early age and eliminate discrimination at home, real social change will be possible.”

Concluding her speech, she said, “If Bangladesh is to achieve genuine progress, we cannot keep half of our population confined at home. Empowerment must begin in our homes, institutions, and overall mindset. Only then can we build a sustainable and prosperous Bangladesh.