High Commissioner Tasneem receives ‘Woman of the Decade in Public Life and Diplomacy Award’

Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland Saida Muna Tasneem was awarded the 'Women of the Decade in Public Life and Diplomacy 2021' award. 

The Women's Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (WICCI) yesterday presented her with the award at the Women Entreprenurs' Summit 2021.

The Bangladesh-India Business Council of Women's Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BIBC-WICCI) virtually organised the event, read a press release.  

Education Minister of Bangladesh Dr Dipu Moni virtually handed over the award to High Commissioner Tasneem at the Closing Session of the 2-day Summit. 

Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Bangladesh Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni were also recipients of the WICCI Award for 2021 in different categories.

On receiving the award, Tasneem dedicated it to Bangladesh's grassroots women who struggle every day as farmers, fisherwomen, garment and construction workers, domestic aide or migrant workers. 

High Commissioner Tasneem paid a deep tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for championing women in politics in the 60s and 70s, his humanitarian support to rehabilitate sexually violated women and war-babies from the 1971 War of Liberation and for Article 28 of the Constitution guaranteeing equal rights of women.

She also expressed her deep gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for triggering a social revolution in the story of women empowerment in Bangladesh over the past one decade. 

She said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ranked a top global influencer by Forbes and Fortune 100, is leading by example as an Agent of Change and Woman Empowering Woman making Bangladesh a topper in WEF's Global Gender Gap Index.

The prestigious WICCI Award recognising pioneers, leaders and role models in their respective entrepreneurial and professional spheres were earlier awarded to eminent global personalities including Malta President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Costa Rica President Laura Chinchilla Miranda, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, among others.

Chaired by Dr Mipu Moni the closing session of the summit was also participated by Cherie Blair, chancellor of Asian University Bangladesh. Ambassador for Japan to Bangladesh Naoki Ito, UN Resident Coordinator to Bangladesh Mia Seppo. 

WICCI Founder President Harbeen Arora and President of Bangladesh-India Business Council of the Women's Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BIBC WICCI), Ms Mantasha Ahmed also participated in the summit.