The event, which was held in Cox’s Bazar, brought together women from different communities and sectors who showed inspiring leadership.

“All of our community women changemakers present today are true fighters,” said Md. Mahbub Alam Talukder, the Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) of the Government of Bangladesh. “This fight is not against anyone but gender discrimination. All of us, men and women, should raise our voices for women’s rights and gender equality. The relation between men and women should not be based on domination but love, compassion, and cooperation,” he added.

Md. Mahbub Alam Talukder was chief guest at the event which was organized by FAO in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and other partners. Abul Kashem, Deputy Director, Department of Agricultural Extension, emphasized the contribution that women at a household and national level make to agriculture in Bangladesh.

Lucky Sharma, the leader of an FAO-supported women’s farmer group, told how women farmers are introducing new methods and techniques. She said: “We are working at the field and our farmers are introducing new technologies which are adopted by the whole community including men farmers.” She added: “Learning from the FAO Farmers’ Field School, our farmers are now using vermicompost instead of chemical fertiliser.”

The speakers and community leaders urged everyone to take collective action to achieve gender equality. Government officials expressed their appreciation of FAO’s work to reduce hunger and enhance agri-food systems by empowering women.

“FAO currently supports 25,000 farmer households in Cox’s Bazar, including at least 30% women. Women’s empowerment ensures leadership and meaningful representation of women and marginalized communities”, said Malika Budanaeva, FAO Emergency Operations Officer.

The theme of this year’s International Women Day’s Day was 'I am Generation Equality: Realising Women's Rights’.