DHAKA, March 10, 2025 (BSS) - Speakers at a webinar emphasized the need for immediate and comprehensive action to advance women's rights and ensure gender equality in Bangladesh.

They stressed the importance of fostering a culture of respect and empathy, alongside training on digital rights, cybercrime, and gender sensitivity.

The speakers also highlighted the necessity of implementing clear and robust legal provisions to combat all forms of harassment and violence against women, with strict penalties for offenders to ensure accountability and protection.

Voices for Interactive Choice and Empowerment (VOICE), a veteran advocacy and research organization, organized the webinar titled "Tackling Violence against Women and Advancing Gender Equality in Bangladesh, marking the International Women's Day-2025, according to a press release received today.

Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, executive director of VOICE, said, "Women's empowerment and gender equality in Bangladesh remain far from reality, as economic empowerment alone hasn't ensured women's safety or equal participation."

Promiti Prova Chowdhury, project manager at VOICE, gave a presentation on technology-facilitated gender-based violence in Bangladesh.

Mahpara Alam, Development Professional (BLAST); Fellow (One Future Network, South Asia), Sultan Mahmud, deputy editor of Daily Amar Desh, Senior Executive of The Daily Star's Commercial Supplement section Saudia Afrin, and Jenia Kabir Shuchona, senior reporter of Channel 24, among others, spoke at the event.