Thursday 08 March 2018

To showcase and change the perception of women’s empowerment, the British Council in Bangladesh observed International Women’s Day 2018 through daylong eventful activities like, quiz competition, film screening, living library sessions, workshops, and exhibitions etc. in Dhaka and Chittagong on 8 March 2018. This year’s theme campaign theme was #PressforProgress.

The day started with a quiz competition named ‘Quizard’ facilitated by Fanush. Students from the British Council partner schools and library members took part in the competition and won prizes. After that Children's Film Society Bangladesh showcased award winning short films, directed by children, on women issues

Later on that day, we have highlighted the theme of women’s empowerment through a workshop for the adolescent children.  Another workshop named ‘Managing Administrative Task in an Efficient Way’ was facilitated by Agatha Gomes, Executive Manager to Country Director, Education and Society, British Council followed by Living Library sessions.

The Living Library sessions were designed to build a positive framework for conversations to challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue. This time we invited women from all fields of life to join and share their struggle and journey with and empower other women and girls.

A panel discussion was also facilitated by the prominent women and human right activists where the panellists shared their experience as professionals, status of women’s education and employment, success stories etc. The panellists were Mahmuda Rahman Khan, USAID, Taslima Aktar, Photo journalist, Taslima Yasmin – DU gender advocate and Sonia Sardar, PO, gender and development, UNICEF. ‘As a woman, I stand for women, I speak for women. Because, together we are stronger, together we achieve more’ said, Sonia Sardar.

The day ended with a project display on gender equality and women’s empowerment. International Women’s Day was observed in the thematic purple colour at the British Council offices in Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong. The office premises and teaching centres were decorated in purple balloons; the staff wore purple British Council Chittagong.

Notes to Editor

For further information please contact:

Arshia Aziz, Head of Marketing, Communications and Digital, British Council, Bangladesh

Email: Arshia.Aziz@bd.britishcouncil.org 

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We work with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 65 million people directly and 731 million people overall including online, broadcasts and publications. We make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government. www.britishcouncil.org