Textile Tech Association (TTA) organized an event focusing on ‘Inspire Inclusion in International Women’s Day 2024 & Beyond’ at Banani Club, Dhaka on 10 March.
The association — started journey with the slogan ‘Analyzing the opportunities & barriers for the female employee’ on 15 January 2022 — aims to be the voice of mid-level working women in the RMG sector. The event highlighted the success stories, especially of women working in the RMG sectors analyzing the barriers that female employee faces in their workplace. With the theme, Inspire Inclusion, TTA emphasized the importance of diversity and women’s empowerment in all aspects of society, especially in the RMG sector.
The textile sector has become a male-dominated industry. Head hunters even recruit non-tech professionals from other backgrounds whereas, thousands of textile graduates are coming out every year, especially women. There are so many women, who wants to make their career in the RMG sector.
So, women need that support to build them as a leaders not only for RMG sector but also for all the sectors globally.
Professor Soniya Begum, Principal, AHS thanked TTA for organizing such an event and said, “We hired textile professionals like designers from other countries, but if Bangladeshi women achieve that skill to lead the sector, then it will help to grow Bangladesh’s economy more and more.”
The special guests were, Bibi Russell, Fashion for Development, Bibi Productions; Vidiya Amrit Khan, Director, Desh Group of Companies; Professor Soniya Begum, Principal AHS; Kyaw Sein Thay Dolly, Managing Director, Cloths “R” Us Ltd.; Aleya Aktar, CHRO, Desh Group of Companies; Israt Jahan, Managing Director at Apparel Resource BD; Farzana Quader, CHRO Group-HR, Asrortex Group (Former Head HR C & A); Engr. Jhumana Siddiqa, Managing Director, Infinity solutions Co ltd.; Mysha Rahman Maliha, Assistant Director HATIL at the event.
In the program, all the guests talked about their stories of success, where Israt Jahan, Managing Director at Apparel Resource BD said, “For the career success, the Universities organize effective career club, so students should join there. They create a safe and supportive space for the mentee to share their challenges, goals, feedback, and learning.”
Bibi Russell shared her journey in the Fashion Industry to inspire women and said, “BIBI Productions is devoted to helping craftspeople, mostly women in rural areas, to preserve traditional weaving techniques and know-how, to protect culture, and to develop local communities in the hope of building promising futures through having access to financial stability and basic education.”
Kyaw Sein Thay Dolly, Managing Director, Cloths “R” Us Ltd. shared her insight about the importance of solidarity and support among women. She said, “Women should stay in power to achieve empowerment and for this when women stand together and show support for each other, they are in a better position to challenge the status quo and bring to light systemic inequalities in the workplace.”
Nowadays, the participation of women in the textile sector, is very vibrant and strong, so newcomers should stay focused on their careers and make it happen successfully, she added.
Capacity gaps mean women are less likely than men to have the education, contacts, and resources needed to become effective leaders. Individual women have overcome these obstacles with great acclaim, and often to the benefit of society at large. But for women as a whole, the RMG field needs to be level, opening opportunities for all.
About this, Sabrina Sharmeen, Founder, Textile Tech Association shared the journey of TTA said, “Toward the end of these struggles, we provide training for women in RMG candidates to help build their capacities and offer training and sensitization campaigns on gender equality, and other initiatives encourage young men and women to engage in advocacy around making gender equality.”
After that a panel discussion was held on INSPIRE INCLUSION: The importance of role models and mentors for imitating inclusiveness in the workplace.
Panelists discussed about the topic and said, that a role model is an individual whose example is looked up to and imitated by others. Mentors are trusted individuals with more experience than another person who personally, in a one-on-one situation, helps guide that person.
They can provide guidance, inspiration, and hope. In a world where it’s easy to feel lost, a role model can be a much-needed anchor. A role model is proof that it’s possible to achieve the dreams. They inspire us to become the best version of ourselves.
Lastly, a cultural program and prize-giving ceremony for the special guest held at the event.
