In celebration of International Women’s Day, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in collaboration with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), UN Women, United Nations Global Compact, and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), hosted the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality event. The initiative aims to highlight the private sector’s critical role in advancing gender equality and boosting women’s economic participation to drive sustainable development.
This year’s event emphasised the progress made under the 2024 Corporate Governance Code, which mandates at least one female independent director on the boards of listed companies, reads a press release.
The percentage of female independent directors increased from 5 percent in 2024 to 6.17 percent in 2025, signaling positive strides toward gender parity.
“We are pleased to see companies embracing the requirement of female independent directors. Currently, 19% of board members in listed companies are women, demonstrating a positive move toward gender equality,” said Farzana Lalarukh, Commissioner of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission. She added that promoting women’s leadership will contribute to creating value and fostering inclusive growth within the private sector.
The Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative underscores IFC's commitment to gender equity through its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) project in Bangladesh. Supported by SECO and the Embassy of Switzerland, IFC aims to increase women’s representation in leadership roles beyond the current 15 percent and expand access to finance for female entrepreneurs.
Martin Holtmann, IFC’s Country Manager for Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, highlighted the need to sustain progress, saying, “Empowering women economically strengthens businesses and builds more resilient communities. Capital markets and the private sector must continue prioritizing women’s economic empowerment and leadership to ensure sustainable growth for Bangladesh.”
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment, called for unlocking opportunities for women and girls to lead and innovate. Stock exchanges, like the DSE, play a pivotal role in connecting companies, investors, and policymakers to champion women’s participation in economic development.
Corinne Henchoz Pignani, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland, emphasized the value of gender diversity in business, stating, “Institutional investors increasingly recognize that companies promoting gender balance deliver better returns. This initiative pushes for a more inclusive world for women, driving better outcomes for businesses and society alike.”
The Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative is a global effort advocating for equal participation of all people to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, fostering a world free of poverty and inequality.
