Women are already leading—now it’s time for action

Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, has emphasized the need to move beyond symbolic inclusion toward meaningful and sustained empowerment of women in Bangladesh. In a statement shared on her verified Facebook page, she reflected on a recent discussion event that she described as “the beginning of something important” for the country’s future.

According to Zaima Rahman, the event represented a vision of Bangladesh where women—across villages, towns, and cities, and across different backgrounds, opinions, and generations—are not only included in conversations, but trusted and empowered to help shape what comes next. She expressed hope that such spaces for dialogue and collaboration would continue to expand and that she could keep learning from and advocating through them.

Zaima Rahman said she was honored to share the platform with prominent figures including Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Tamara Abed Hasan, and Rupali Chowdhury, praising their insightful contributions and leadership in their respective fields. She noted that the discussion benefited greatly from the diversity of perspectives and experiences represented on the panel.

She also highlighted the importance of engaging with women from a wide range of sectors, describing her interactions with participants such as Sumaiya Arju Muhu, Syeda Anannya Faria, Dr. Halida Hanum Akhter, Tanzina, Monica Chakma, Afroja Mukta, and Mamunur Rashid Efti as particularly meaningful. According to her post, the presence of accomplished, ambitious, and committed women underscored the depth of leadership already present in Bangladesh.

A special mention was made of Sadia, a student from BRAC University’s law department, who asked what Zaima Rahman described as a “very in-depth and important question” during the Q&A session. She welcomed the fact that young women are actively raising critical questions in society and engaging with complex policy and governance issues.

Zaima Rahman also thanked the moderator, Kazi Jesin, for guiding the discussion effectively, and acknowledged Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury for engaging in the dialogue and outlining policy thinking around many of the issues raised during the event.

In her statement, Zaima Rahman stressed that progress depends on sustained dialogue and a willingness to listen, even when perspectives differ. She noted that while women are already leading in many areas of Bangladeshi society, belief in women’s leadership must now translate into concrete and consistent action.

“Empowerment cannot live only in speeches or policies,” she wrote. “It must show up consistently in our homes, workplaces, and institutions.” She further emphasized that this responsibility cannot be carried by women alone.

Addressing men, leaders, and decision-makers, Zaima Rahman stated that genuine support should be measured not by intention, but by sustained action. She called for collective responsibility in shaping systems that enable equality and inclusive leadership.

Concluding her message, she reiterated that the future Bangladesh aspires to build can only be achieved through collaboration. “The future we want is one we can only build together,” she wrote.