Gender parity can be ensured if society espouses equity, democratic values and grievance-redressal mechanisms, some experts say, and they show ways for the state to tread.
They also observe that supportive measures are necessary but women must have willingness to go forward.
The remarks came at a discussion titled 'Break the bias for a gender-equal world' organised by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on the occasion of the International Women's Day.
Prof Rounaq Jahan, distinguished fellow at the CPD, chaired the programme, moderated by Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the policy think-tank.
Job description should also be gender-friendly along with adequate safety measures to increase participation of women in the formal economy, said Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, chairperson of BRAC and former adviser of a caretaker government, who was special guest at the programme.
Syed Nasim Manzur, director of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), told the meet that women are triple-taxed with professionals, children and household works.
He said aspiration to move forward and mindset to accept other female mates in leadership are necessary.
"Despite all odds and challenges, women already made their vibrant footsteps in key sectors," he adds.
Prof Jahan notes that state has role to play in ensuring gender equality by way of allocating adequate resources and setting right priorities.
She feels the urgency of collective effort and integration of the women movement with global ones.
Shahana Huda of Manusher Jonno Foundation said some empowered women also remained in the stereotypical mindset that women cannot move alone sans her husband.
Dr Firdausi Qadri, emeritus scientist of enteric and respiratory infections, infectious diseases division, ICDDRB, said women have to do multitasking and many give up their job or drop out from the profession for this.
"We have to teach men to accept women in the profession or challenging job," she adds.
Dr Fahmida Khatun said gender bias fuels inequality, and placed the centre's plans for parity.
"Ensuring gender equality is not only the journey of women. An integrated policy with legal, economic, social and political reform would be required for this," she adds.
Gender budget and equal access to resources for women should be ensured, too.
Taslima Akter Lima, president of Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati, told the function that women have to adopt the technological advancement breaking the fear and come forward with innovations.
Rashna Imam, managing partner of Akhtar Imam & Associates, emphasises legal reform, equal inheritance rights, safety in workplace, income equality, women leadership in law profession.
Ambassador of Sweden Alexandra Bergvon Linde and Ambassador of the Netherlands Paula Schindeler laid emphasis on addressing climate- change impact on women and sustainable development of women representation.
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