IDLC Finance Limited believes in the fundamental rights of women and providing equal opportunities to any gender. Thus, besides availing loan in different prospects, the company took extra steps to empower women and help achieve their goals. For instance, IDLC Ladies Forum was developed to address the female employees’ views and opinions to facilitate a good working environment for women through the participation of all women employees from different positions in the hierarchy, posted in different departments and branches. IDLC launched Purnota loan with numerous benefits along with attractive loan package for the passionate women in our country. Purnota assists in obtaining regulatory documents and licenses, providing services of Purnorta helpline, insuring against any risk incurred and also providing medical allowance. There is Purnota Digital Marketing service that offers guidance for promoting and advertising their products through social network media, website and other digital media in a costeffective manner. IDLC reached out to Syeda Selina Shelly’s initiative Apon Nibash-Old Home that provides shelter to 65 homeless old women and logistical support. IDLC also organized a free health camp for Apon Nibash-Old Home residents and provided medicines as prescribed by the doctor. IDLC has undertaken a scholarship award project called Oditiya, in collaboration with Prothom Alo Trust and Asian University for Women for females who are first in their families to attain university level education. It was a great initiative by IDLC towards greater woman anticipation. IDLC initiated a project to provide financial support for patients with Obstetric Fistula in partnership with MAMM’s Institute of Fistula and Women Health for Fistula Surgery. Under this initiative IDLC will provide financial support for 50 patients in one year. IDLC Finance Limited not only envisions equal rights of women outside the company but also instils same values in its employees. Thus, in this issue, we are also featuring the spouses of the employees of IDLC Finance Ltd. who represent strength, talent and confidence.

Being a researcher and by chance a female one – is a very dynamic role with challenging missions. I was lucky to finally find my destination in my dream organization as a researcher at icddr,b. I did not have a clear career path in my mind when I started my career but learnt through gathering new experiences. Fortunately, I had a lot of opportunities and did not feel discriminated because of my gender. However, being confident is one of the keys to success I believe and I was lucky to have that quality pushing me to surpass my boundaries. Moreover, not only hard work is crucial but also knowing your interest will define success.

Lack of training facilities, skill and proper knowledge of technology are the main reasons for female workers to lag behind in the job market. Also when it comes to institutional education, men become skilled through different types of training whereas, women remain busy in maintaining family. The freedom to work – by choice, in conditions of dignity, safety and fairness guaranteeing that women have access to this right is an important end in itself.

Between the workplace and life outside of work, women often play multiple roles each day like mother, wife, career woman and me as an individual. What helped me balance these duties seamlessly and without compromise was a combination of having the courage to make tough decisions, a strong support system of my family especially from my husband. I am incredibly fortunate to have had a solid foundation and network of support throughout my career.

For the incredible working women of the society, you have to believe in yourself more than you believe in anyone. You need to keep dreaming and push yourself towards fulfilling those. To know your worth and love yourself is the core of your success in all aspects.

Serving the society always had my interest since childhood. Experiences like volunteering and working for NGO added to my professional know-how a lot. Then I had to go through a difficult phase in my life where I only focused on two things; my child and being constructively busy. Out of my own interest I did my second Masters in Early Childhood Development and took over the charge of the kindergarten school. My vision was to develop an education system for the children of middle class families to provide top-class education in affordable range. Moreover, the school has a separate shift for underprivileged children, where they receive quality education free of cost. I capitalized my experience and hobbies of crafting and came up with “Idea Dome Consultancy”. Here, we have wings for event management, interior decoration, organizing various training and work-shops.

As a woman and especially as a mother, my journey was not smooth at all. However, I had to work late night to cover events, stay outdoors nights after nights to conduct trainings, organize social campaigns. Fighting the negativities was the biggest challenge which I overcame pretty well.

Family is a joint endeavor where both partners need to be respectful and supportive to each other to make it a successful one. In my journey, having Mr. Tanvir Shawkat as my life-partner made it much easier. Sometimes I get astonished how he manages to solve all my problems and becomes my biggest support. He always encourages my work, gives critical reviews and sometimes helps me in my projects as well.

In this competitive world, women have to go through challenges that might become a barrier to your dream. But fulfilling your dream is your right. Have strong willpower so that you can work hard enough and never compromise with quality.

In a male dominant society, it is always very challenging to prove your worth. In our society, women gets less opportunities than men. So any opportunity for a women is very expensive as they are limited. Sometimes, a women has to be twice more efficient than a male employee to prove their worth. Hence, being thorough and rigorous in your work is the key to excel. However, a great support system is crucial to excel especially when we reach the midlevel positions of our career. Because this is the time when we are entrusted with more responsibilities in both professional and personal arenas. Balancing both the worlds can be very difficult sometimes. It is unfortunate that many efficient female employees leave their jobs to carry out her personal responsibilities. Both spouse and organization plays a vital role in this stage. My husband has been my rock in this journey. In every thick and thin, he has been there to support me and encouraged me to stand strong. Many a times when it was becoming difficult for me to balance my personal and professional life, he has stepped in and supported me and did his best to balance both the worlds. My life wouldn’t be as it is now if he was not there to support me. Every sector is becoming more competitive day by day. To outshine in this highly competitive world one has to update and upgrade thyself continuously. An efficient employee is always an asset for any organization. Thus, never stop learning. There is no age limit for learning. A strong base of knowledge will give the strength to excel in career with full potential. And always remember, sky is the limit.