The Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or
BWCCI, on Monday launched the ‘WE SELIMA’ campaign to commemorate its founder
president, the late Selima Ahmad, while reaffirming its commitment to advancing
women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
The programme, held at Gulshan Club in Dhaka, also marked
Selima Ahmad’s birth anniversary and featured prayers, tributes and discussions
on her contributions to women’s leadership and business development.
Selima Ahmad, a former lawmaker and founder president of
BWCCI, died on June 21 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bangkok.
The event began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an
followed by a special prayer seeking eternal peace for her departed soul.
In her welcome address, BWCCI president Sangita Ahmed
described Selima Ahmad as a visionary leader whose lifelong efforts helped
create opportunities for women entrepreneurs across Bangladesh. She said the
chamber would continue to uphold the ideals and vision established by its
founder.
A documentary titled ‘Journey of Selima Ahmad’ was
screened, highlighting her life, achievements and her role in building BWCCI
over the past 25 years. A digital commemorative crest was also unveiled in
recognition of her national and international contributions to women’s entrepreneurship
and leadership.
The event’s main attraction was the inauguration of the
year-long ‘WE SELIMA’ campaign—Women Entrepreneurs, Skills, Employment,
Leadership, ICT through Mentorship & Acceleration—as part of BWCCI’s silver
jubilee celebrations.
The campaign was formally launched through a
candle-lighting ceremony attended by members of the BWCCI board of directors
and Nitol-Niloy Group chairman Matlub Ahmad.
According to the organisers, the initiative aims to
promote women’s entrepreneurship, employment, leadership development, ICT and
business skills, mentorship, innovation, market linkages and expanded economic
opportunities for women across the country.
Around 200 guests attended the programme, including
representatives of government agencies, private sector organisations,
development partners, diplomatic missions, international organisations,
journalists, BWCCI board members, family members of Selima Ahmad and women
entrepreneurs from different parts of the country.
Several of Selima Ahmad’s long-time national and
international partners joined the event virtually. Video and written tribute
messages were received from Andrew Wilson, executive director of the Center for
International Private Enterprise (CIPE), Michael Miller, head of the European
Union Delegation to Bangladesh, Chitranjali Dissanayake of the Sri Lanka Women
Chamber of Commerce and Marie-Christine Oghly, chair of the ICC World Chambers
Federation.
Speaking at the event, Matlub Ahmad paid tribute to his
late wife and recalled her dedication to promoting women’s entrepreneurship and
economic empowerment.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks delivered by BWCCI board director Nusrat Amin Mirza, followed by a rendition of the patriotic song Dhan Dhanya Pushpa Bhora. Guests later signed a condolence book and paid floral tributes in memory of Selima Ahmad.
