Working in international development for almost two decades has been a truly enriching experience.While my work has taken me to places like Liberia, South Africa and Papua New Guinea, as well as slums and “chars” of Bangladesh etc., the people I met have been inspiring and helped shape me as a person. One of my
A letter to young women professionals Read More »
The recognition of Dr Firdausi Qadri’s lifelong contribution to scientific research is a cause for huge celebration, especially when underrepresentation of women and girls in workforce and higher education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) remains a serious concern across various regions. South and West Asia have the lowest proportion of
STEM education and careers — equal participation of girls & women Read More »
“My business partner and the co-founder of the company is female. She is every bit my equal in the company and in the design of the products and services we are rolling out. She has to fight twice as hard, and for twice as long as me for anything. Nine out of 10 emails to
Are you sure you’re not suffering from unconscious bias? Read More »
During the Covid-19 lockdowns, men have been performing more care work than any other time in recent history. This was confirmed through surveys with women and men in 47 countries across various regions, and highlighted in the fourth “State of the World’s Fathers” report (launched on June 15, 2021). The report was produced by Promundo,
Involve men in caregiving to achieve gender equality Read More »
Dr Firdausi Qadri of Icddr,b, Dr Salma Sultana of Model Livestock Advance-ment Foundation and Prof Samia Subrina of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)—three Bangladeshi women scientists have recently made us proud. They were included in the sixth edition of the Asian Scientist 100 list, which is a Singapore-based science and technology magazine. The
Inspiring Bangladeshi girls towards STEM, one role model at a time Read More »
Dr Firdausi Qadri of Icddr,b, Dr Salma Sultana of Model Livestock Advance-ment Foundation and Prof Samia Subrina of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)—three Bangladeshi women scientists have recently made us proud. They were included in the sixth edition of the Asian Scientist 100 list, which is a Singapore-based science and technology magazine. The
Inspiring Bangladeshi girls towards STEM, one role model at a time Read More »
Frontline healthcare workers, community mobilisers, caregivers, mothers working from home while supporting children with online classes—women of Bangladesh and all other parts of the world have been facing the Covid-19 pandemic with immense strength, courage, patience, and resilience. I have been thinking of ordinary women performing extraordinary responsibilities in the context of the discussion on
Covid-19 response by women leaders: Will this change the quality of leadership? Read More »
“Girls do not look smart, they are pretty”—said a five-year-old Bangladeshi boy after a comment by the mother that his sister (three years old) was looking “smart”. The mother had to explain that both boys and girls could be smart and pretty. How does a five-year-old develop such gender stereotyped attitudes? Most of our boys
Let us write new stories Read More »
“Girls do not look smart, they are pretty”—said a five-year-old Bangladeshi boy after a comment by the mother that his sister (three years old) was looking “smart”. The mother had to explain that both boys and girls could be smart and pretty. How does a five-year-old develop such gender stereotyped attitudes? Most of our boys
Let us write new stories Read More »
From the char of Lalmonirhat to a slum in Khulna, I have met many adolescent girls across Bangladesh who are united in their resolve to continue education, who make extraordinary efforts to go to schools. For example, a girl in Khulna has been collecting and selling scrap papers in order to earn money to pay
We must do more to end child marriage Read More »
