SWAPNO and WING, two gender responsive projects of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hold a day-long workshop titled “Experience & knowledge sharing workshop” with SME entrepreneurs and the transgender community to commemorate International Women's Day 2022.
Main purpose of the workshop was to recognize women’s contribution in achieving gender equality and enhance knowledge on Digital payment and e-commerce ecosystems in Bangladesh.
As the guest of honor, Prasenjit Chakma, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, inaugurated the workshop by saying, “If we critically analyze this year’s theme of International Women’s Day, we can understand that gender equality in every sector will ensure a sustainable tomorrow for future generation.”
Speaking as the Chief guest, Afroza Khan, Managing Director of Joyeeta Foundation, said, “Despite challenges, women have come a long way to build their identity. Thanks to our hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for whom Bangladesh has now become the role model of women empowerment. Apart from women entrepreneurs, transwomen are also moving forward. WING’s Anondomela digital platform helped our entrepreneurs during the advent of COVID-19 which regained their confidence.”
Habibur Rahman, Joint Secretary, Local Government Division and National Project Director of Strengthening Women’s Ability for Productive New Opportunities (SWAPNO) project, was present in the workshop as the special guest. In his remarks, he highlighted the role of SWAPNO project in uplifting ultra-poor rural women from the poverty trap. “SWAPNO has transformed lives of around 12,500 marginalized women who now advocate for gender equality in their communities,” he said.
Representatives from government’s a2i program and SSL Commerz conducted a knowledge sharing session where they displayed their digital innovations like ‘Easy merchant app’ for entrepreneurs.
Chondona Ghosh, one of the WING programme beneficiary, shared her experiences of working with WING’s Anondomela business platform. “Without Anondomela, it was not possible to participate this year’s trade fair. They have whole-heartedly supported us to run our business”, she said. Sinthia and Ms. Manisha Meem expressed their joyful gratitude to include them through Anondomela platform. “We want technical support and capacity building trainings from WING programme to start and run our business online,” they said.
In closing remarks, A.H.M. Shafiquzzaman, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Commerce and DG-Vokta Odhikar, highlighted the initiatives of Ministry of Commerce like Digital Business Identification (DBID). “For including the entrepreneurs in formal economy and making their authentic identities, we have launched DBID. We are also working with the financial institutes for ensuring safe payment system and get trust back in e commerce industry,” he said.
He urged all the developments partners and stakeholders to move forward in this regard.
Among others, representatives from transgender community, male and female entrepreneurs, were also present.
