Home ›› 02 Aug 2022 ›› Corporate
Access Bangladesh Foundation, with the support of EMK Centre of the US Embassy, arranged a residential training programme in Dhaka on July 25-30, 2022 for women entrepreneurs with disabilities to engage them in the e-commerce platform.
Selected 50 women entrepreneurs with disabilities from 17 districts of 7 divisions received training in two batches, said a statement.
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) Vice-Chancellor Professor Imran Rahman attended the first batch’s training programme as the chief guest. He said, “This is the ideal time to use technology to improve the lives of socially disadvantaged persons. Access Bangladesh has launched a timely and innovative project. In the future, we’ll keep working together on this endeavour.”
In her remarks as a special guest, Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) Executive Director Shaeen Anam highlighted the need to discover the capabilities of women entrepreneurs with disabilities to change negative societal perceptions. She admired Access Bangladesh Foundation’s unique initiative.
Speaking as the chief guest of the 2nd batch’s training programme, a2i Head of Social Innovation and Operation Cluster Manik Mahmood said that Bangladesh government is working relentlessly to promote entrepreneurs. He added that Access Bangladesh Foundation should expand this project to include women entrepreneurs with disabilities to use the online marketplace. He expressed his keen interest in this regard and said that a2i will be with Access Bangladesh Foundation to expand the initiative.
In her statement as the special guest, Women and e-commerce (WE) founder and President Nasima Akter Nisa stated that WE will provide support to women entrepreneurs with disabilities so that they can participate easily in the WE platform.
MJF Coordinator Nazrana Yeasmin Hira said that by getting proper support women with disabilities can become self-reliant.
Access Bangladesh Foundation co-founder and Executive Director Albert Mollah said that the major challenges faced by women entrepreneurs with disabilities include the difficulty to sell their products, being unable to maintain their rental business due to financial difficulties, and lacking the necessary marketing expertise.
“Access Bangladesh Foundation has taken this creative initiative to involve them in the e-commerce sector as a means of overcoming these obstacles. Through this project, a total of 50 women entrepreneurs with disabilities have been selected across the country and a platform has been created to share their experiences, learnings and information,” he added.
Access Bangladesh Foundation Chairperson Mohua Paul praised the participants for taking part in the initiative and encouraged them to make it successful.
