Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has allocated space to 25 women entrepreneurs to set up nurseries as part of efforts to expand urban greenery, protect the environment and promote women’s economic empowerment.
Each entrepreneur has been allowed to use 200 square feet of temporary space under the initiative.
The allocation letters were formally handed over to the beneficiaries at a programme held at the DNCC Nagar Bhaban, where DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz attended as the chief guest and DNCC Chief Estate Officer Mohammad Shawkat Osman presided over the event.
Speaking at the programme, Mohammad Azaz said the initiative initially covers 25 women entrepreneurs, adding that the number will be gradually increased to 100.
He said Dhaka is facing an acute shortage of open and green spaces due to unplanned urbanisation and the filling of water bodies and canals, which has put the city at environmental risk.
To reduce health risks for citizens and make Dhaka more liveable, he said, it is necessary to bring greenery back into the city.
Mohammad Azaz said the initiative aims to create women-led green spaces and ensure women’s participation in the city-building process through gender mainstreaming.
He noted that urban planning has largely been shaped by a patriarchal political economy and said the programme seeks to promote a feminist political economic perspective.
He also said women’s participation in policy-making processes related to city development has historically been limited, despite its importance for sustainable urban management.
Through women-led green spaces and gender-centric green infrastructure, DNCC is working to build an inclusive urban movement, he added.
The DNCC administrator said more greening activities will be launched gradually through ward-based strategic planning, with the initiative designed to achieve three goals at the same time—developing women as entrepreneurs, expanding economic activities and protecting the environment.
At the programme, beneficiary woman entrepreneur Sonia Haq said that the lack of designated space previously forced them to shift locations frequently to continue their businesses.
She said receiving fixed space will allow them to operate their businesses permanently, help sustain their livelihoods, create greener surroundings and reduce pollution.
DNCC expressed hope that the nurseries run by women entrepreneurs will contribute to green infrastructure development, improve the urban environment and open new avenues for women’s economic empowerment.
Also present at the programme were DNCC Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Asaduzzaman, Chief Engineer Brigadier General Md Moin Uddin, Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, and other guests.
