In Bangladesh, women have long been underrepresented inentrepreneurship. But amid all the tragedies of the Covid pandemic, there has been one positive side-effect -- a steady rise in the share ofwomen entrepreneurs in the country's startup ecosystem.
Meet Zannatul Fardous Nayan, a small-town girlwho is scripting her own success story in today's new age world. Zannatul moved to Dhaka from Dinajpur some years back to pursue higher studiesin architecture after successfully completing a diploma in her chosen field of study.
Right from the day she took admission toa private university in Dhaka, she had been scouting ways to fund her own studies. WithTk 5,000 in hand,she finally embarked on herentrepreneurship journeyby floating an onlineboutique -- basically a Facebookpage titled 'Artist Fashion'.
"Being government servants, my parents were not at all happy with my decision to start a business. They wanted me to find a government job,"Zannatulsays. Though she started as a sapling, her dedication soon helped her bloom in the world of femaleentrepreneurs."I owna boutique house in Mirpur and earn two to three lakh taka a month," she adds.
Aysha Siddika Lima is another womanentrepreneur who has hit the right spot to success. An engineering graduate, Aysha started her entrepreneurship journeyby setting up 'Baby's and Ladies Point' tosell a range of baby apparels. "Myfamily never wanted me to start such a non-glamourous business. But I have withstood the family pressure to thrive as the best."
"Business means freedom, which also eases the struggle of life. Now, I make a profit of around Tk 45,000 a month. My mantra -- consistency is the key to success," saysAysha.
Another womanentrepreneur,Taposhi Monira has also survived against odds in the past. "Istarted my online gift store, 'Urban Touch Bd'. Initially many people used to make fun of me. Now, I have achieved some success and currently makeTk 50,000 a month."
FA Irin, the owner of Shopno Boutique, is another proudwomanentrepreneur. "I always dreamt ofbecomingfinancially independent. But myfamily never supported me. By dint of hard work, I have proved that nothing is impossible even in a male-dominated society."
Kanny Goms started an online shop --Dyna Creation,named after her daughter. "I started with just Tk 8,500 and took a few baby steps at a time to progress. My lovely daughter has beenmy inspiration," she says.
All these women have survived against odds in the past,but society has started to accept that these new crop ofentrepreneurs do contribute greatlyto a country's economy and have the ability to influence a generation.
[UNB]
