Women in Business
By Weekend Desk
How many times have you been frowned upon for daring to speak up and make your preference known? How many times were you stopped from doing your hearts desire just because you are not a man? Our integrity and sense of responsibility is questioned every step of the way while our male counterparts can do the same and receive applaud from society.
Celebrating the success of Bangladeshi women ahead of International Womens Day on March 8, the Weekend Independent lists some exemplary women who, against all odds, had the courage to pursue their dreams and succeed in their chosen careers, with aplomb. They fought head to head with the patriarchal norms of society and came out winners. They are great inspiration to our young generation and they deserve our utmost respect.
Ivy Huq Russell
Communication
When Ivy Huq Russell observed how women in Bangladesh suffered from lack of necessary information, especially those related to their own health and wellbeing, she vowed to change that.
A former investment banker, Ivy Russell founded maya.com.bd with a vision to empower women through giving them access to information and a shared community. The website serves as a virtual community that lets women from different communities get together and share their knowledge. Launched in September 2011, the site was runner-up in BRAC 40 Year innovation contest.
Maya.com.bd started from my passion to help women in Bangladesh to learn and do the things that matter to them. When I was pregnant, I realised the importance of having access to useful and trusted information at hand to learn more about my body and pregnancy. I also discovered how useful it was to be able to learn from other women who were going through similar experiences. As I observed the culture around pregnancy in my country, I saw there was a huge need, even in urban society, for quality information; but more importantly, a community where women can share their collective wisdom, wishes, and ideas. Maya aims to be the dedicated, positive space for women in Bangladesh to freely come and talk about issues and experiences in their lives, she said in an interview earlier.
The biggest obstacle in this country is people saying that it cant be done, says Russell.
Dont let anyone tell you cant do it not even you, she said, quoting from one of her favourite movies, In pursuit of happiness.
Most people will tell you that you cannot do this and you cannot do that, but I took comfort in knowing that all the great entrepreneurs of our time also went through similar push backs, Russell said. But personally, I think the biggest driver of success is determination, not letting anyone cloud your intent and judgment.
Monowara Ali Khan
Tourism
As an entrepreneur, Monowara Ali Khan loves challenges. She founded her first successful tourism business, Intraco Tours and Travels, in 1978. But she did not stop there. She has also established CNG and solar businesses.
A strong advocate of womens economic empowerment, Monowara Khan has dedicated herself to the development of women entrepreneurs and the overall condition of women in Bangladesh.
Khan established Chittagong Women Entrepreneurs Association in 1999, Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce Industry in 2003, and Women Cooperative Bank Limited to provide necessary resources to women entrepreneurs.
Sabrina Islam
Home deco
Looking for stained glass panels for her house in vain a while ago, Sabrina Islam was compelled to import them from abroad. Noticing the need for such items, she took training in different countries and in 1998, founded Reflections, an architectural glass design and decorative art glass company.
The major problem she has faced in running her business is the lack of training facilities, necessary skills and raw materials in Bangladesh. Despite the struggles, her company, which started with only two workers, has tasted success over time as the demand for decorative glass increased. She received the DHL-Daily Star Bangladesh Business Awards in the Outstanding Woman in Business category in 2008.
As a former employee of a handcraft organisation, Sabrina Islam recognises the insufficient resources available for women entrepreneurs, and plans to set up a training centre for women to help them come up with innovative ideas.
Taslima Miji
Technology
After the end of a career in journalism, Taslima Miji was encouraged by a friend to make a fresh start. She established Techmania in June 2008, which provides computer hardware and related services.
Running a tech business as a woman is extremely hard. There were times she faced obstacles purely because of her gender. But with her rebellious spirit and go-getter attitude, she has always dealt with the problems head on.
My company is based in Dhaka. It provides hardware and related services, like computers, accessories, networking and troubleshooting, etc. It has not been an easy ride for me and I had to struggle, and am still struggling, to prove my abilities and get rid of the notion that I will not be able to meet expectations since I am a woman, Miji told the Weekend.
The beginning was the toughest as I was new and knew nothing, explained Miji. Among the major challenges, finding clients was the most critical one, and the second challenge for me was the fact that I had no professional training as an entrepreneur and I started with very limited capital. In hardware business, it is extremely difficult to have innovative ideas. The only scope to work is in marketing. The present hardware market is very competitive and I did not even start with a market survey, she said.
As a woman, I found that people were more inquisitive about my background than my business. It was as if I do not have an identity. That hampered my progress, but I tried to ignore it and reminded myself that I have to go through this and learn to be patient and focused, she added.
It is a continuous struggle as a woman entrepreneur. People tend to hesitate before placing large orders since I am a woman and they suspect my ability to deliver properly.
I have learned the tips and tricks of business along the way and to tell you the truth, I am still learning and adapting to the business world, she continued. At present, I am trying to start something new and am facing problems regarding loans. Although women can get loans without any collateral, the amount we are receiving is not sufficient to run or start things smoothly.
Miji believes women in our country limit themselves to fit the role society has set for them.
We maintain ourselves in ways we know our families and friends want us to. We quash our own desires to please others as it has been taught to us from childhood that we should abide, she said, adding, My take is to stay focused and move ahead with your ambition. At times, we need to close our eyes, our ears, and our mouth to make progress in life and in work.
Selina Qader
Agribusiness
On observing that the government provides merely 10 per cent subsidy to potato exports, Selina Qadar founded Agriconcern, an agriculture-based business, in 1985.
Her company has been helping farmers to produce 10,000 to 12,000 metric tons of potato for exportation every year, along with preserving the environment and improving the lives of the growers. In 2004, she received an award from a national daily for her tenacious efforts.
Source: futurestartup.com; womensweb.in
