Naila Kabeer, a fellow of the Institute of Development Studies at University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, said this at a lecture in the city yesterday.

Although there is no universally acceptable scale to gauge the empowerment of women, their access to education, resources and decision-making process should be the indicators of women's empowerment in society, she observed.

Replying to a question about the role of micro-finance in empowering women, she said there are a number of ways to achieve empowerment and micro-finance is one of them.

But such an approach should be pro-poor, she said, adding that otherwise, it would not sustain in the long run.

About the condition of women in South Asian countries, Naila said they were forced to bear children against their will and that mothers still discriminate against girls.

The Department of Women and Gender Studies of Dhaka University organised the lecture session in association with the Royal Netherlands Embassy. Chairman of the department Ayesha Banu presided over the programme. Its former chairman Nazmunnahar Mahtab and Prof MM Akash were also present.