Breaking the glass ceiling

Seven intrepid women were yesterday felicitated at the sixth edition of the "Unsung Women Nation Builders Awards", an initiative of The Daily Star and IPDC, for their meaningful contributions to building a better Bangladesh.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi gave out the awards at a ceremony held at the auditorium of Independent University, Bangladesh in the capital's Bashundhara.

"Using the pretext of religion and culture, many people repress women from doing anything — we will have to stand up against the obstacles created by the society."

— Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi

"Handing out the awards to these women is my greatest reward," he said.

Munshi went on to urge The Daily Star and IPDC to take the initiative all over the country to encourage women to stand up against the obstacles created for them.

"Using the pretext of religion and culture, many people repress women from doing anything -- we will have to stand up against the obstacles created by the society."

Women are no less capable than men, and in some instances, they are more able than the men, he said, adding that the prime minister is a great advocate of women taking up important roles in the government.

"Why should women be left behind? We have to kindle that spirit in them to forge ahead," Munshi added.

The instances of courage that the awardees and many other unsung women have shown will serve as an inspiration for the rest, said Mominul Islam, chief executive officer and managing director of IPDC.

One such force of nature is Zannatul Ferdous Mohua, who is unable to walk, move her hands or speak clearly from birth. She beat all odds to become a successful entrepreneur, employing 25 women in Bogura's Sherpur upazila.

Through her Facebook page "Rainbow", she sells hand-embroidered products like sarees, cushions and bedcovers. People from more than 18 countries buy her items, yielding her about Tk 60,000 a month.

Not just that, Mohua is also studying for her master's degree in English at the Bogura Government Azizul Haque College.

"People like us will feel encouraged and be successful if the society extends support towards us," Mohua said while accepting the award.

Another awardee Tamanna Aktar Nura, 18, of Bankra under Jhikargachha upazila of Jashore was born with no arms and only one leg.

But this did not hold her back: nestling the pen between her toes, she took her exams and scored GPA-5 in HSC this year and SSC in 2019. Now, she wants to sit in the exam for Bangladesh Civil Service.

"The instances of courage that the awardees and many other unsung women have shown will serve as an inspiration for the rest."

— Mominul Islam, chief executive officer and managing director of IPDC.

In Bangladesh, people with disabilities are still viewed as burdens, she said, adding that she wants to work towards changing that perception.

"With a changed mindset and support, people with disabilities can turn into assets," Nura added.

Zannatul Sarkar Champa sold newspapers in Chatmohar Bazar to get by after the sudden death of her father, a union parishad member. She faced widespread criticisms for her source of livelihood but she did not give in.

Last year, she was elected as a union parishad member in Parshodanga union of Pabna's Chatmohar upazila.

Like her, Jamila Begum from Birganj upazila of Dinajpur dispelled the long-held notion of professions that women could work in.

After her husband abandoned her and their two children, she took up butchery. She cleared a debt of Tk 2.82 lakh that her husband owed and built a home in her village.

Takia Sultana Nova, 21, a third-year student of International Islamic University Chattogram, has taught more than 500 women how to ride scooters and take control of their own mobility and safety.

Girls can sign up for lessons on Nova's Facebook page "RoadBook BD", which was opened in 2019.

Birangana Shila Guha was raped by the Pakistan army during Bangladesh's nine-month-long War of Liberation in 1971.

After learning about the sexual assault once the war ended, both her father and husband refused to take her back, leaving her to fend for herself and her two daughters.

But she survived.

In 2018, Taheatul Jannat Remi established a free school named "Hasimukh Pathshala" for the underprivileged children in Faridpur. The school is providing education to 30 students, most of whom come from poor families.

Remi also gives training to women in Faridpur on self-defence and protecting themselves from sexual violence and creates awareness about child sexual abuse through her other organisation, Nandita Surakkha.

She said it was a tremendous challenge to start an awareness programme on girls' reproductive health issues in a town like Faridpur.

However, she succeeded as her family supported her for the cause.

There are people like Remi who love to dedicate their lives to the welfare of people, said Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, while introducing her.

The other awardees were introduced by: Hasin Jahan of WaterAid Bangladesh, Senjuti Saha of Child Health Research Foundation, Sinthia Sharmin Islam of Shajgoj, Maria Mumu of Moshal Mental Health, Tawhida Shiropa of Moner Bondhu and Khushi Kabir of Nijera Kori.

These women have moved forward by breaking glass-ceiling as well as social and mental constraints and limitations, said Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star.

"Can you believe a female butcher is selling meat? It may seem to you a trifling achievement but she has actually commenced a revolution. Another woman overcomes her disability and runs an online shop. Today, when you will leave [the event venue], you will feel encouraged to break the glass-ceiling too," he added.

Theatre troupe Prachyanaut performed at the event, where the awardees were given cash support of Tk 2 lakh each.