Three women entrepreneurs, one from Bangladesh have been awarded for their contribution to achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 that relates to gender equality and women empowerment.     

The Entrepreneur Organization (EO), the world’s largest peer-to-peer global network of entrepreneurs conferred the award styled “She Rockers MyEO Women SDG Award 2019” at the closing session of a daylong women summit, organized by the EO Bangladesh Chapter at Hotel Radission Blu in the capital on Sunday night. 

Among the best 19 nominees from the world's top women business entrepreneurs, three received this year’s award. The awardees are Monique Maissan of EO Shanghai Chapters of China, Neha Tulsian of EO Gurgaon chapter of India and Farzana Chowdhury, President of EO Bangladesh chapter.  Farzana is also the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Green Delta Insurance Company Ltd.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid as the chief guest, along with Global Chairperson of EO Bubu Andres handed over the awards to the women entrepreneurs at a colorful ceremony.  

President of Bangladesh Federation of Women Entrepreneurs (BFWE) Rokia Afzal Rahman spoke as the special guest while President of EO Bangladesh Chapter Farzana Chowdhury gave the welcome speech.

In his speech, the state minister said the present government is committed to attain SDG of gender equality and empowering women as well as implementing the connection of the elimination of all forms of discrimination. 

“Bangladesh has been working relentlessly to ensure women’s overall development by ensuring their equal participation in the socio-economic activities and removing the various impediments to their empowerment,” he said. 

The EO (Entrepreneurs Organization) Bangladesh chapter awarded all 19 Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs with Nominee Certificates in recognition of their contribution to achieve SDG 5 that targets for gender equality and empowering all women.

MyEo women SDG awards 2019 nominees were: Kamrun Ahmed, co-founder of bagdoom.com; Zahida Fizza Kabir, executive director of Sajida Foundation; Zareen Mahmud Hossein, founder of Herstory Foundation; Nishat N Hamid, executive director of Shasha Denims Ltd; Mehnaz Tabassum, director of Aviation Information Technology; Neha Tulsian, founder of NH1 Design; Hazel Ortega; Monique Maissan; Kane Pallod; Ashika Mehta; Sohana Sualtana, director of AFC Health Ltd; Farzana Chowdhury, CEO of Green Delta Insurance; Qamrun Nahar Zahir, chairman of Ananta Group; Nusrat Aman, CEO of Ayat Education; Sohana Karim Yusuf, director of Little Steps; Logonika Jain; Syeda Madiha Murshed; Vandana Verman; and Priyanshi Patel.

The EO is a Global business network of more than 13,000 leading entrepreneurs in 58 countries that enables business owners to learn from each other. In 2016, EO Bangladesh started its journey with the country’s leading entrepreneurs.

Farzana said “She Rockers” is an initiative for honoring and inspiring entrepreneurship of women. “I salute the women who have participated here and also women who are not present here but are working hard to chase their dreams and making a better society,” she said. 

The Dhaka Tribune was a media partner of the event.