In Bangladesh, despite a rise in the women’s labour force participation from 36.3% to 42.67%, their representation in mid- and senior-level leadership roles remains disproportionately low.
Structural barriers — deep-rooted societal norms, institutional biases, and career breaks due to family responsibilities — continue to hinder women’s professional growth.
Recognizing these systemic challenges, Oxfam in Bangladesh and WaterAid Bangladesh have jointly launched “Anirban Rise & Lead”, a leadership initiative aimed at empowering mid-career women professionals and supporting their reintegration into the workforce and leadership roles after career breaks, on Saturday.
The launch event, held at a hotel in Dhaka, brought together key stakeholders from various industries, development organizations, and policymakers.
Joining the event, Humaira Azam, managing director, LankaBangla Finance, said: “Anirban – Rise & Lead is a great initiative. Success isn’t just about academic excellence — it’s about interpersonal skills, mental training, and how we utilize our spare time to grow. If you have the knowledge, you will shine, but you also need the confidence to speak well, strong body language, and the ability to navigate challenges.”
“The system must change, and men play a crucial role in that transformation. There should be strong ambassadors for women, supporting and championing their leadership journey. We need to rise and shine from within to break barriers and create lasting change truly,” she added.
By providing mentorship, skills training, and advocacy, the Anirban – Rise & Lead seeks to dismantle barriers preventing women from assuming leadership roles.
Ashish Damle, country director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, said: “Despite progress, many women still encounter invisible barriers that limit their career growth. It’s time to create workplaces that recognize and nurture diverse leadership, ensuring equal opportunities for all professionals to thrive.”
Hasin Jahan, country director, WaterAid Bangladesh, reflected: “A career break should never define a woman’s potential. By providing structured support and mentorship, we can help women re-enter the workforce with confidence, bringing their valuable skills and perspectives to leadership roles.”
A keynote presentation by Nusrat Anwar, project coordinator of the Women’s Returnship Program from WaterAid Bangladesh, and Bidowra Tahmin Khan, head of Economic Inclusion and Justice from Oxfam in Bangladesh, detailed how the initiative will support women professionals navigating career transitions and overcoming leadership roadblocks.
A panel discussion, “Breaking Barriers: Women‘s Leadership in the Modern Workplace”, moderated by Leadership Coach & OD Consultant, ChangeMantras, featured Kabita Bose, country director of Plan International; Uma Chatterjee, leadership coach & OD consultant, ChangeMantras; Md Rubaiyath Sarwar, co-founder and managing director of Innovision Consulting; Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonyo Foundation; Hasne Ara Begum, Asian Development Bank, and Maherin Ahmed, communication manager of CIMMYT.
The discussion delved into the ongoing challenges of workplace gender biases and explored pathways for systemic change.
The event concluded with a LabTalk and Career Fair, providing an interactive platform for women professionals to network with potential employers across industries. By fostering direct connections between women seeking leadership roles and organizations committed to gender inclusion, the fair played a crucial role in opening doors for new professionals.
