They said discrimination against women still prevails although they have achieved a lot with regards to empowerment.

The Indian High Commission organised the discussion titled 'Celebrating women as leaders' at the Canadian Club in the city to mark the International Women's Day. Women diplomats and outstanding women leaders from different fields attended the programme.

Indian High Commissioner Veena Sikri, Canadian High Commissioner Barbara Richardson, Norwegian Ambassador Aud Lise Norheim, Swiss Ambassador Dora Rapold and Swedish Ambassador Britt Hagstrom were present as panellists while Chairperson of Arlinks Group Rokia A Rahman, Chairman of Narayanganj Pourasava Dr Selina Hayat and Sammilita Garments Sramik Federation President Nazma Akhter also took part in the discussion.

Team Leader of Manusher Jonno Shaheen Anam moderated the discussion and placed the demands of women, including recognition of and support to women's productive and reproductive roles, violence-free environment at home and outside and a uniform family code for all women.

Speaking on the occasion, the diplomats highlighted the status of women in their countries, their advancement and obstacles to empowerment.

"In governmental sectors, women are much advanced and their achievement is higher than in the private sectors," said Swiss Ambassador Rapold. Constant efforts are needed to keep up what women have achieved, she added.

Swedish Ambassador Hagstrom said women's rights activists played an important role in enacting progressive laws in her country.

Indian envoy Veena Sikri said Mahatma Gandhi had recognised the women's strong power and contribution to independence of India, which led to women's advancement and empowerment.

"Not only social justice but also political growth is important. The policy to achieve emancipation and empowerment through education has played an important role in the advancement of women in India," she added.

Highlighting Bangladeshi women's role in business, Chairperson of Arlinks Group Rokia A Rahman said they have been working hard in their professional life as well as in their families.

It is a good sign that husbands are now coming forward to help their wives, which improves the quality of family life, she added.

Sammilita Garments Sramik Federation President Nazma Akhter said that although women have been protecting themselves, working hard and fighting everyday to establish their rights, they are neglected at the decision-making level in professional sectors.

"We want the government to show respect to the garments sector, in which mostly women are employed, as we have been earning 77 percent of foreign exchange," she said.

She also urged the NGOs to help the garments workers realise their demand for safety at workplaces.

Women leaders Hena Das, Ayesha Khanam, Maleka Begum, Hamida Hossain, Shirin Akhter, Hasna Moudud, Salma Khan and Sigma Huda, cultural activists Kabari Sarwar, Progga Laboni, Shampa Reza, Ferdousi Priyabhashini and Nashid Kamal and Chairman and Managing Director of Adcomm Ltd. Geeteara Safiya Choudhury were also present.