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.