ICMAB organized International Women’s Day 2023

The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) organized International Women’s Day 2023 on 11 March 2023 at its Ruhul Kuddus Auditorium of ICMA Bhaban, Nilkhet Dhaka. The theme of the program is “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equity”. Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh was the Chief Guest in the program. In her speech she mentioned that the journey of Bangladesh towards becoming a developed country by 2041 is not that easy, there is no shortcut method and all of us irrespective of male and female have to work hard to reach this goal. The potential of every individual male and female citizens should be unlocked for transforming Bangladesh as a developed country. The advancement of our women has made significant progress but we could not yet reach to desired level of gender equality and to reach to that state we have to work hard for further improvement, she added.

Mr. Md. Abdur Rahman Khan FCMA, President, ICMAB delivered the welcome speech and briefly narrated the evolution process of CMA Profession in Bangladesh. He said that although enrolment of female students has increased in recent years still female participation in CMA profession is not yet up to satisfactory level. He also spoke about the importance of IT knowledge of the women for the empowering themselves.
Later on, a doa session was conducted for the female student who was recently burnt critically at the explosion at Science Lab area.
Dr. Mahmuda Akhter, Professor, University of Dhaka and Executive President, Bangladesh Institute of Capital Market attended the ceremony as a special guest. She said that women have special characteristics; they are great contributors to the family with their patience and risk averting capacity. After an illuminating deliberation she has given some recommendations to be taken care of to strengthen digital Bangladesh:
1. Internet speed all over Bangladesh need to be ensured and the price of internet should be made cheaper.
2. Digitally enabled Harassment against women in digital platform should be taken care of by introducing digital technology so that the women can make complain easily.
3. The opportunities for women in digitalization should be increased and the language of IT should be easier so that the women even at remote and under privileged area can use it properly.
5. Digital literacy has to be compulsory for all. Women should be given training on IT from the childhood.
6. The digital labs established all over Bangladesh should be provided with competent human resources so that these labs can be fully functional.
7. The allocation of budget for digital education has to be increased.

Ms. Tina Jabeen CPA, Director, Bangladesh Women Investors Network and President, Bangladesh Startup Consortium, the special guest delivered the Keynote Presentation on “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. In her presentation she mentioned that the women entrepreneurs are yet very low in number compare to the male, for sustainable development. Now this is the time to concentrate on innovation and technological adaptation in this digital for promoting gender equity.
Mr. A. Hakim Bhuiyan, FCMA, Chairman & Managing Director, ERP2ALL Limited, UK delivered a Presentation on “Role of Technology driven Accounting BPO in gender equality”. In his presentation he explained technology has helped increased participation of women in different jobs at the time of pandemic which now become a common phenomenon. He also showed how Technology driven Accounting BPO tremendously helped gender equality in our country.
Ms. Akhtar Sanjida Kashem FCMA, Chairman, Women’s Affairs Committee moderated the whole program exquisitely. Mr. Mohammad Salim FCMA, Past President & Chairman, Seminar and Conference Committee offered the vote of thanks. The ceremony become quite vibrant with the participation of a good number of female members both physically and online through Zoom platform.