On the occasion of International Women's Day, five women leaders have been awarded by SAARC Women’s Association for their contribution to the betterment of society.
During an award ceremony at the Six Seasons Hotel in Dhaka, first Bangladeshi woman to climb Mount Everest Nishat Mazumder, Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to Bangladesh Aishath Shaan Shakeer, Berger Paints Bangladesh Managing Director Rupali Haque Chowdhury, Indian theater personality and a social activist Saira Shah Halim, and renowned doctor and inventor Dr Sayeba Akhter received the awards.
Emphasizing diversity and women empowerment, SAARC Women’s Association President Saji Chand Khadka said: “We will continue to work towards our goal, promoting existing cultures and friendly relations between the people of south countries in Asia.
“We are delighted to honour visionary, strong, brave and innovative women that have contributed bringing immense change in society, exemplifying the strength of women power. Each of these empowered women have contributed in many ways – from blazing new trails in business, to representing their country in national and international platforms,” she added.
The SAARC Women’s Association president further said a balanced society could only be achieved if everyone had equal opportunity in six key areas of life: education, employment, financial independence, health care, political governance, and personal development.
Mountaineer Nishat Mazumder said: “When I was on the Everest expedition team, our main idea was to support each other. In Bangladesh, women and men are now going forward by supporting each other.”
Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to Bangladesh Aishath Shaan Shakeer also emphasized the need for men and women to work together and said: “Maldives will soon establish a women’s association and invite members of the Bangladesh branch to visit.”
Managing Director of Berger Paints Bangladesh Rupali Haque Chowdhury said: “Empowerment is when a woman or man can make decisions about her life, the society, and country she lives in. We need to ensure equality and empowerment, but this is not an equal world.
“Those of us sitting in this room are blessed and we cannot be talking about our successes, when the paradigm shift in this country has been brought about by female RMG workers who comprise significant portion of employment. They came forward from rural areas and showed us the way,” she added.
Saira Shah Halim said: “I think it’s time we ensure equal opportunity, so that women can contribute politically, socially, and in every other sphere of life.”
Eminent gynaecologist Dr Sayeba Akhter emphasized the need for increasing awareness of health issues among women at all levels.
During the award ceremony, all present observed a one minute silence for the victims of the terror attack in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Dr Silverina de Silva anchored the program, while former presidents SAARC Women’s Association and ambassadors of various embassies were among those in attendance.