Women of inspiration 2020

Bangladesh chapter of Junior Chamber International (JCI) has recognized nine women for their outstanding achievement and contribution to different sectors.

They were recognized with “Woman of Inspiration Award 2020” through an event held at a Dhaka hotel on Sunday to mark International Women’s Day 2020.

The voluntary organization recognized achievements of the nine persons in different categories —academia, technology, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, financial sector, art, culture and heritage, fashion and public sector, etc. 

This year, the award went to noted designer who put Bangladesh on the global fashion map Bibi Russell, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) Vice Chancellor Carmen Z Lamagna, Additional Managing Director of Trust Bank Humaira Azam, singer Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Association of Fashion Designers of Bangladesh president and managing director of Reela's Fashion Mantasha Ahmed, co-founder of Samdani Art Foundation and director of Dhaka Art Summit Nadia Samdani, Oracle Bangladesh Country Managing Director Rubaba Dowla, Ain O Salish Kendra Executive Director Sheepa Hafiza, and Computer Science and Engineering professor at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Tanzima Hashem for their success in their respective fields.

Bibi Russell | Rajib Dhar/Dhaka Tribune

Bibi Russell, speaking to Dhaka Tribune, said she would continue to inspire young people to contribute to society.

Despite the fact that this society was still a difficult place for women to come forward, Tanzima Hashem urged female persons to come forward with determination to achieve success.

Citing that there was huge opportunity for women to join in engineering science and contribute to society, she urged girls to study engineering science more and more for future.

“I want them [women and girls] to be fearless and limitless. You can achieve your dream by this. I hope, JCI will be able to inspire more and more women to dream and pursue whatever the purpose women have in their life,” said Rubaba Dowla. 

Rubaba Dowla | Rajib Dhar/Dhaka Tribune

As more and more women are joining workforce every year, Nadia Samdani said it was women who were changing and contributing to the economy. 

“They have more spending power. The country is run by women: opposition leader in parliament is women, and the speaker of the parliament is a women. Women are now holding big positions everywhere,” she said. 

She also stressed the need for women to join more and more in cultural activities, and law, especially in the field of human rights, to protect rights of women.

JCI Bangladesh President Sarah Kamal hosted the event. Lawmaker Asaduzzaman Noor joined as chief guest while Sidsen Bleken, Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh, was the guest of honor.