Small scale women entrepreneurs in rural areas need support to flourish their innovative ideas which can contribute to the country's economy, President of Bangladesh Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Rokia Afzal Rahman said yesterday.

If the women in villages get smartphone, access to the internet and can do all the business dealings by themselves, the country will be able to reach a new height in the next five years, she said.

Rahman spoke while delivering a lecture at Daffodil International University (DIU) in the capital's Dhanmondi.

“Rural women are smart. They possess the will and energy to earn success,” she told a packed audience, mostly students.

Her lecture on journey towards economic empowerment of women was part of the DIU Industry Academia Lecture Series.

Noted and successful entrepreneurs of the country have been delivering lectures on various topics related to entrepreneurship development at the series.

Rahman said women have the capability to deal with multiple tasks at a time alongside handling their own businesses.

“While dealing with her business, a woman also takes care of her family and does it successfully.”

Sharing anecdotes from her own life, she said her struggle to reach success was hard fought and different from what women entrepreneurs were facing in the society nowadays.

“There was no cell phone back then. Sometimes I would stay away from home while my family got worried and waited anxiously for my return,” said Rahman who is also a former adviser to a caretaker government.

Mother of a son and two daughters, Rahman immensely thanked her family members and in-laws who, according to her, always supported her journey towards success.

“To become a successful entrepreneur, one need to be courageous and have the ability to take right decision as lot of obstacles may come at initial stage.”

DIU Board of Trustees Chairman Md Sabur Khan and Vice Chancellor Prof Yousuf M Islam, among others, were also present at the event.