Unilever Bangladesh is working to empower the women of Bangladesh. They encourage their female employees to challenge the status quo and dive deeper into traditionally male dominated territories. A significant initiative of theirs is the Aparajita Project, where 7000 rural women have been co-opted into the Unilever distribution network in partnership with Care Bangladesh, who run the programme.
One of the best performing Aparajitas, Rajeda Begum, says: “My extensive sales training prior to joining the program helped me perform well. I have saved up a decent amount over the years and now I am confident enough to think of running my own shop soon enough.
Five female territory managers have even risen to manage hundreds of their male subordinates and that’s not all, Unilever female officers have taken the fight for equality and empowerment to Unilever production lines, with female production floor managers working alongside their male counterparts at their Chittagong factory. Their female production floor officers are highly respected in the factory because of their sound judgment.
It is definitely an achievement that women in Unilever have gained acceptance across the company from field-level to the management tables. Unilever Bangladesh says it has always believed in empowering women, and congratulates all women on Women’s Day.