I don't have to act like a man to be equal to man

On the eve of the International Women's Day while visiting The Asian Age, Rubaba Dowla, Chief Service Officer, Head of mCommerce and Public Relations of Airtel Bangladesh expressed her views, dreams and visions regarding women of Bangladesh. Her inspiring words would help a girl dream of attaining the peak of success and freedom. 



The Asian Age: Welcome to The Asian Age

Rubaba Dowla: It's an honor to be here.

AA: From your position how do you evaluate the women of Bangladesh today?

RD: In corporate world, women are getting involved. When I first joined in telecom sector in 1998, the number of women was very poor. But the number is increasing. But in leading positions women are still a few in number. Women themselves are much responsible for that. We don't believe that we can reach that height. But the new generation is going for a change. We need to believe in ourselves.
Not only the working women, women involved in domesticity also need empowerment. Harassment, violation of rights or discrimination are also present there. Different organizations are involved in protecting rights of women. But women themselves do not come forward with their complaints. They do not feel it comfortable to stand against their dearest ones even though they get victim of exploitation.

AA: You are an international figure. Although the women of Bangladesh have not been able to attain their due national status, achieving an international platform might be a dream for many ones. What obstructions are there on the way of going that height?

RD: Now this is an age of globalization. So it becomes easier for women to enter into the global competition market. Still acceptance in the national arena is first requisition. Indria Noyi, CEO of Pepsico, went for international degrees completing the national ones. So she could think extensively. Our women need to think big as well. There may be barriers, there may be people who want to pull you down. But this needs to be broken down. Ultimately fight against any disparity is essential. Women are not supposed to stay confined to academic learning. In this age of technological boom, women need to be inquisitive, they need to search for knowledge. When a woman starts believing in herself, she will pursue the society and family to support her. I worked in an environment where all my colleagues were male. But I never felt any discrimination. At the same time I never compromised with my work. I never sought any opportunity in the excuse of my womanhood.

AA: How did you balance between your work and family?

RD: first ten years of my work I was much dedicated to that. In the meantime I got married and became a proud mother. My son also found a working mother and got habituated. I wanted to them feel proud of my job. When they found that I loved doing my work and they also got benefit from they started supporting me.
 
AA: You are a prominent person in the corporate sector which actually promotes branding of Bangladesh. Would you like to say something about that?

RD: In case of branding, it is very important to be proud of one's own country. If the country people cannot be proud of the resources the country possesses, it become useless to brand any product of it. The hardest thing about branding is to materialize the promise. Delivery should be satisfactory so that promise is over-fulfilled. For example, we can say that tourism in Bangladesh is best in the world. But saying is not everything, making it believable to everyone is more important, although Bangladesh has much prospective future in this sector. Similarly garment industry of Bangladesh has a place among the nations of the world. But if you ask me what the most valuable asset of the country is, I would say - people. Human resource is the most precious belongings of the country. Major part of the population is youth. At the same time the country has a beautiful combination of men and women.

AA: How much freedom and rights of women have been achieved till now?

RD: I know there are many changes worldwide. But a girl still becomes the victim of gender discrimination. There are improvements in some parts but majority of girls are facing discrimination. We have to change this situation. In Bangladesh, women are taking parts in many activities. They are leading the country. Our Prime Minister, Speaker, leader of oppositions are women. But we must ensure every woman's rights.

AA: According to the World Economic Forum, global gender parity will be ensured within 2095, but some of researchers consider that it would not be possible before 2133. This deferment creates frustration among women. What is your view in this regard?

RD: Yes, it is quite frustrating. But I am happy in knowing that at least there is a specific timeline for us to deal the issue. In the past, we just talked about ending gender disparity without having any time frame. Now, we are moving towards it. That is apparently positive, I think. It is not only global concerns to think about changes, how much we are changing ourselves that is also very important.  We will have to start it from home.
Look, I am proud of being a woman and I do not think that I need to act like a man to be equal to a man. We have the equal capacity in our brain that we have to utilize. And that is needed while working.  Naturally, we have some biological differences but otherwise there are no other differences between us. Moreover, it is seen that girls are more multitasking than boys. But it is unfortunate that girls have to prove them double as boys get some facilities. We have to change this mindset rather girls will have to come forward to change the situation. Girls will have to be confident. They need to believe in themselves. Another thing is that, we will have to identify our country's need.

AA: Many people, especially the women, allege that they face some bitter experiences in the telecom sector to work. At the same time young generation are very keen to come to this platform. Will you give your valuable suggestions for the upcoming generation who are eager to develop their career in this sector? 

RD: I have some bitter experiences too. But most at the time we give our top priority on what other people is saying about us which are called corporate politics. We have to change this also. If someone is trying to pull me down, it is not necessary to give importance on it. We have our own direction and we must follow it. If I know that I am doing right thing then, it is not that much important what people is gossiping in absence of me.  At present, team work is very important everywhere. In a team, it is not necessary that whether you are girl or a boy. Everyone has to work here. And there is no substitute of hard working as well as smart working. And girls will have to prove themselves by hard work. For the new generation, I want to say, if they want to come to the telecom sector, they will have to know what is next. Because the telecommunication sector was voice related but now it is all about data. Everything is happening by data, like talking in viber, skype. There are lots of things are happening across telecom. They will have to understand the whole things. If we can identify what types of technology we need in our country and bring out the solution we can do better. Through mobile phones farmers are communicating directly with the buyers, doctors are talking with patients, remote meeting via video conferences are the benefits of technology. Technology has both good and bad sides but will have to take the good sides. There is also high competition in the telecom sector. So, proper preparation is must for joining the sector.  Now if anyone wants to be involved in telecom sector, they need to have the knowledge of tomorrow, that means, advanced knowledge. At the same time, one needs to be well acknowledged about the needs of the country. Telecom sector is now too much competitive where knowledge and attitude are equally valued. So it would be a preparation for tomorrow.

AA: Nowadays, we are experiencing technological revolution in Bangladesh as   'Digital Bangladesh' or 'Vision 2020'. Surely it is the demand of time. But how faster our government could help to boost-up the technological facilities across the country?

RD: In South Asia, Bangladesh, India and China are doing very good in telecommunication sector. Technology services are available in Bangladesh. People of Bangladesh take the new technology very fast. And in the era of high speed internet Bangladesh is going with the developed world with a same pace. And there are many things we are making and world is taking from us. We have invented the micro credit concept. This concept has been replicated from us in the world. It is a very good sign that women are taking part in the telecommunication sector. But in ICT sector women participation are very low. Some women are coming out and joining ICT but the number will have to be increased. We have e-commerce, e-learning, m-commerce; see everything is ICT based work. So, if girls join in this sector, they will have a very good future ahead.  Present government has already taken some projects.  They have some information service centre they are taking some entrepreneurs and giving loan and they are giving this money to the women entrepreneur which is very effective. We have to pull the women. Girls themselves will have to pull them up. Women will have to participate in the seminars, conferences and other programs. Government and non-government can play a great role in that case. They can organize seminars to train up them. They will have to be given platforms. There already have some projects and we will have to take the advantages.

AA: You are fan of sports and soundly involved in this sector. Have you ever observed discriminations between the male and female players in terms of evaluating one's capacity or giving the right honor? If any gender biased discrimination prevails as the ground reality, then what would be your comments to it ?
 
RD: Yes, women player are getting lower money than their male counterparts in some places which is wrong. We have to change this mentality. We will have to respect everyone's work. Paying respect is very important. And this kind of discrimination is not wanted at all.

AA: Culture sometimes has many ill depictions of women. But women like you are coming out of this. Does this really pose any contradiction between age long culture and right-conscious women?

RD: Our culture and religion never have any suggestion for female suppression. We should be proud of our culture. It is appreciating if one embraces own culture. More important it is to pursue one's desires and dreams. Sometimes people misuse culture and religion for their own purposes.

AA: How much support did you get from your family?

RD: My father was an army-man. My mother did three masters after she raised us. In my family, I was equally treated as my brother. I never faced any discrimination in my family. My father always emphasized that you would have to stand on your own feet, no matter how much rich your counterpart would be. As we didn't see any discrimination, a sense of equality automatically developed in us. But many families are doing the same thing.

AA: Thanks for your valuable time.

RD: It's a nice time.



Interviewer Barnali Talukder and
Afroza Akter