Home ›› 09 Mar 2022 ›› Corporate
In honour of International Women’s Day and its theme #BreakTheBias, Meta, formerly known as the Facebook company, has celebrated the resilience of women entrepreneurs and community leaders across the Asia Pacific region, including Bangladesh.
The Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women both socially and economically. According to the Global State of Small Business Report, women-led small businesses faced more closures and lower sales performance than businesses led by men, with 20 per cent of women-led businesses and 16 per cent of men-led businesses reporting closures.
Bangladeshi women have been coming together online to empower others and drive positive change in their communities despite the unparalleled challenges. According to Meta’s analysis, more than 70 per cent of female-led businesses in Bangladesh were set up on Facebook since the pandemic began and there has been an increase of more than 65 per cent in Instagram businesses owned by women. Since 2021, 40 per cent of Facebook groups about entrepreneurship in Bangladesh have been created by women.
In its latest episode of the Forward Together series, Meta is shining a light on inspiring women entrepreneurs and community leaders across the Asia Pacific region who have embraced technology and digital tools to persevere during difficult times and grow their businesses. The episode features Zerin Tasmin Khan, Founder of 6 Yards Story, a popular jewelry brand in Bangladesh with a thriving online presence.
“Throughout history, we have seen women show astonishing resilience, and more so in the last two years as the world battles the Covid-19 pandemic together. With women making up half of the business owners in the Asia Pacific, it is even more important that we help unlock their entrepreneurial potential, to create a more resilient, inclusive, and equal society,” said Grace Clapham, Director of APAC Community Partnerships at Meta.
Over the last year, Meta has partnered with 18 community organisations and government partners to conduct more than 275 training sessions for over 20,000 women entrepreneurs in the Asia Pacific. The social media company is also encouraging people in Bangladesh to participate in the #BuyFromHer campaign on Facebook and Instagram to inspire others to shop from local women-owned businesses.
Meta also plans to launch their flagship #SheMeansBusiness programme in Bangladesh.
