- Tell us about yourself and ‘Women in Digital’.
I was born and raised in a village and peri-urban area in Bangladesh. I was good in studies and went ahead to study computer engineering. Joining the University, I was shocked. Unlike school and college, I was the only girl in the classroom. So I started looking for senior female students. There were two women, one had already quit and another was about to quit. In the entire country, there were hardly any women in the digital space. This is where my days of struggle started. Then, people didn’t take women seriously and women were not considered to be good at something like coding.
During my second year, I applied for my first job. There, I saw that women were only accepted for graphics. Hardcore coding was a complete ‘no-go’ zone for girls. I had to fight for my first job and I got it. I was again the only girl in the coding department. I had to face many challenges. Let’s not get into that, it will be a very long story. But in short, the more time I spent, I became more aware of the challenges women face. It broke my heart. It was not only about judging women in a certain job but the entire society was judging our existence, our capacity; our dreams based on our gender. I knew I had to keep fighting but now, it was not just for my own acceptance. Coding is something I love and enjoy. And there is nothing about being a man or woman that affects coding.
This became a bigger vision for me. I wanted to bring more Bangladeshi women in technology; to empower women through technology. This is how ‘Women in Digital’ was born.
In the year 2013, I started with a group of 5 women. Today, we have trained more than 5000 females in technology, of which, more than 3000 are actively working. In the beginning, it was a challenge to convince the girls and their parents. Another challenge was, we needed women with a good education. We mostly work with girls from middle-class backgrounds. We all know that low-income families or rural areas need bigger help. This is why we started running training programs in the villages as well. Today, we have many success stories of women from different backgrounds. We have a woman who could not continue her higher studies because of the family’s poor financial condition. Today, she supports her family financially.
‘Women in Digital’ focuses on three areas –
- Women in Digital Agency: Here, women engineers develop IT products for international clients mostly from Australia and the USA. Recently, we developed a water billing software for our local govt. (www.luminadev.com)
- Women in Digital Tech School: This is where we provide computer training to girls to be ready for the job market. (www.moshtor.com)
- Women in E-commerce: Focusing on rural women, here, we create an international market for their handicraft products through our social media and website. The entire team, from craftswomen and photographers to digital coders, all are women.
With the help of the Spring program since last year, we have been able to develop a financial model for the training centre. Starting February 2020, we will have four Tech Schools in different areas of Bangladesh – Dhaka, Ramgonj, Kurigram and Mymensingh which will run like permanent institutes.
Bangladesh is probably one of the best countries in South Asia to encourage women in the digital space. Because of the government’s initiatives like Digital Bangladesh, we have the opportunity to reach even the most remote regions, train the girls and also find them international jobs. There is a huge opportunity. I am proud of training 5000 women but we have the potential for millions.
‘Women in Digital’ is not only a dream, it is a reality and a platform for a better future for women and girls in the country.
- What was the most challenging part of your journey till now?
The first challenge was “I am a woman”, the second being “I am a Tech woman” and the third challenge was “I am a female entrepreneur”. In our society, people love to think that women can only manage their home but times have changed and people should admit that women can manage both home and work. ‘Women in Digital’ will constantly work on this.
- What has been the most transformational moment for you in your journey?
In 2019, the Facebook team came to Bangladesh to make a documentary on my company and in the same year I was selected for the IVLP from the USA State Department and Acumen Academy fellowship.
- If you are given a magic wand with three wishes to be granted, what will be your three wishes?
My three wishes would be:
1. Tech education compulsory for all.
2. Women leading IT companies.
3. Involving more women in leadership, decision making, policymaking positions.
- What is your message for women or those aspiring to be something different?
Be confident with your own strengths and know-how to sell yourself first, then your product.
- One sentence that defines you?
My empowerment is making other women financially empowered.
-By Team WS
