They also demanded enactment and implementation of laws in order to improve the situation.

The conference titled 'Women: Future of Bangladesh' was organised by the Netherlands-based diaspora organisation BASUG (Bangladesh Support Group) with the support of Oxfam-Novib, Seva Network Foundation and Mondriaan.

It was addressed by Sultana Kamal, former adviser to caretaker government, Dr Radj Bhondoe of Seva Network Foundation, Prof Tanzeen Murshid of University Libre of Brussels, Muhammad Jahangir of Grameen Bank, Dr Ahmed Ziauddin, international law consultant, Ansar Ahmed Ullah, co-convener of Brussels-based European Bangladesh Forum, Maaike de Loer of Oxfam Novib, London-based Journalist Masuda Bhatti, Bikash Chowdhury Barua, president of BASUG, and Dr Peter Custers, chairman of International Centre for Democracy in Bangladesh.

At the start of the conference, a video message of Noble Peace Prize Winner Prof Muhammad Yunus was screened.

In his message, Prof Yunus said the women of Bangladesh have made tremendous progress in recent years.

He appreciated the efforts of BASUG for organising the programme in Europe which, he said, would draw more attention to issues concerning women of Bangladesh internationally.

Chief Reporter of the daily Suprobhat Bangladesh M Nasirul Haque and Khalilur Rahman Chowdury of a Bangladeshi NGO Endeavour also took part in the conference.

The Counsellor of Bangladesh Embassy in the Netherlands Zikokey Ahad and

representatives from the Dutch foreign ministry, development agencies, human rights activists and a number of organisations of migrants were also present at the conference.

A solo photo exhibition titled 'Working women of Bangladesh' by Bangladeshi photographer M A Taher was organised on this occasion.

Celebrated dance artists from Bangladesh Shamim Ara Nipa and Shibli Mohammad along with local artists took part in the cultural programme.

The daylong conference was also attended by people from different continents.