Envoys, shadows recap

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, Danish Ambassador Hanne Fugl Eskjær, Brazilian Ambassador Wanja Campos Da Nobrega and Dutch Ambassador Leoni Cuelenaere along with four young Bangladeshi females, shared their experiences and expectations from the "Shadow Ambassador" initiative yesterday afternoon at a press conference held at the capital's American Club.

Initiated by the Danish embassy in Dhaka last month, marking the International Women's Day, with a view to promoting leadership among young Bangladeshi females, the shadow ambassador concept pairs up the ambassadors with young Bangladeshi females, who were selected to spend a day with the respective ambassadors, so that the latter could learn the pathways to leadership and the value of choosing the challenging career of a diplomat.

"Through this initiative we are now able to showcase our engagement with regard to gender equality and in promoting female leadership," said Cuelenaere.

Danish Ambassador Hanne Fugl Eskjær developed the concept in the hope that the Bangladeshi females would be inspired to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams by getting an insight into the profession of female ambassadors.

Tasneem Kibria, an A-level student and alumnus of a US State Department-sponsored high school student exchange programme, Talbia Tanvir, a student of North South University, Mehzabin Khan, an A-level student and Zaiba Tahyya, a freelance researcher, were selected shadow ambassadors of the US,  Denmark, Brazil and the Netherlands respectively through different campaigns and competitions  held last month.

Of the four, Talbia, Mahzabin and Tasneem spent their days on March 7, March 30 and March 3 respectively, and Zaiba will spend her day today.

Bernicat said the joint initiative would send out a positive message to both males and females in Bangladesh, who dream of an atypical future free of violence and discrimination.

Appreciating her shadow ambassador's wit and ability to spontaneously participate in discussion, Nobrega called upon all girls to continue their education and take part in economic activities in the country.

When replying to a question about violence against women (VAW) and impunity in many cases, Cuelenaere emphasised the need for prosecuting perpetrators involved, adding, "We cannot have them go free."

Mentioning the ignorance even among many of the literate women about where to seek assistance when they fall victim to VAW, Hanne urged all media outlets to extensively publicise the 24-hour helpline 10921, established by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs with support from the Danish embassy, to help the victims fight gender-based violence.