Birgunj (Parsa), Aug 30: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has stressed the need to create opportunities for women to advance towards self-reliance while honouring women’s entrepreneurship. Inaugurating the extensive women’s conference on ‘Women: Power, Dedication and Respect’ organised here today by the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, former President Bhandari stated that women’s contributions have always been in the forefront, from family building to industry, business, education, health, and social transformation.
She emphasised the need for everyone’s solidarity alongside opportunities to empower women. The former President believed that women’s power is not only a part of the family but also the foundation of the progress of the entire society, so women’s entrepreneurship should be respected and encouraged. She added that women leadership must play a leading role in developing entrepreneurship in a trade centre like Birgunj.
“Developing entrepreneurship in women is not just personal success. It also strengthens the economy of the entire country. Women must move forward to inspire the next generation by becoming capable themselves. We must continue to play a positive and useful role in transforming society by breaking the gender inequality, prejudices, and obstacles that still remain in our society,” the former President said.
She also emphasised the need for women to move forward with confidence, positive thinking, and planning. Former President Bhandari expressed the view that respect for women can only be upheld if their sacrifices and dedication are institutionalized to create opportunities.
She stated that it is necessary to adopt an import substitution policy and focus on domestic production to reduce the increasing trade deficit of the country.
The coordinator of the conference, Dr Laxmi Thapa, expressed the belief that such programmes would contribute to the development of women’s entrepreneurship.
Hari Gautam, the president of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the need for women to be given opportunities along with the necessity to run industries and businesses from home for the development of women’s entrepreneurship. “Recently, the development of women’s entrepreneurship has been progressing rapidly. It is essential for various state bodies to provide support to further promote and enhance it,” he said.
