'Who's Who: Women Leaders at a Glance' launched

15 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

The first ever directory on biographies of women leaders of Bangladesh in different sectors, 'Who's Who: Women Leaders at a Glance 2010', was launched yesterday. Published by Bangladesh Alliance for Women Leadership (BDAWL), the book celebrates the accomplishment of the women who influenced progress in Bangladesh. Portraying 134 biographies, the book will serve as a key resource in identifying women experts and help recognise their roles, speakers said at the launching ceremony at a city hotel yesterday. Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni formally unveiled the book at the ceremony. The foreign minister said, "Women's empowerment is at the top of current government's agenda" "The country is proud of its women leaders and their contribution needs to be recognised", she stated acknowledging the contribution of 64 women lawmakers in current house, about 1300 directly elected women in the local government, the garment workers who toil to earn the biggest chunk of foreign currency for the country and many other unsung heroes. She said it is time to redefine the role of women. The directory also contains a complete list of women lawmakers in the 9th parliament, gender analysis of past three elections, women's share of seats in the parliament. It also tries to shed some light on women voters. Biographies include women in politics, judiciary, academia, civil service, business, law enforcement, media and more. BDAWL Executive Director Nasim Firdaus said, "The biographies of women leaders in this directory are a testament to the growing strength of women" BDAWL Chairman Barrister Rabeya Bhuiyan and Lauren K Moriarty addressed the audience that included former advisers to the caretaker government Rasheda K Choudhury and Gitiara Safia Chowdhury, ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir, Democracywatch Executive Director Taleya Rahman and Information Commissioner Prof Sadeka Halim.