SCB celebrate international women's day

Standard CharteredBangladesh and Friendship jointly hosted ‘Water, light and hope”, a specialphoto exhibition celebrating the occasion of International Women’s Day 2024.Theexhibition took place recently at an art gallery in Dhaka. It centred on theempowerment, entrepreneurship and development of marginalised women living inshifting sedimentary islands (chars) at the heart of the Jamuna andBrahmaputra.

The photo exhibitiondisplays the struggles and grit of women living in these hard-to-reach areasand the resilience they show to overcome daily challenges. Portrayed throughthe photographs were char women’s attainment of financial freedom andindependence, acquiring of new skills, employment, education, participation inhealth and disaster emergencies.

Reflecting on thephoto exhibition, Naser Ezaz Bijoy, Chief Executive Officer, Standard CharteredBangladesh, said, “These are not just photographs. These are not just stories.These photographs document the reality of the lives of some incredible women,speaking of their courage, resilience, and dignity. These are stories of livesamidst water, light, and hope.”

“Women are driven by commitment, deep self-dignity, empathy, andcompassion—herein lies our strength to achieve our goals,” said Runa Khan,founder of Friendship. “For a woman, efficacy and innovation are daily tools. Ibelieve that women are the strongest instruments for ensuring sustainabilityand bringing long-term impact into a community. The world today is close to a tipping point. Enormous effortis needed to have a just society.  And if we empower women, we will endowhumanity with the power to succeed.” 

Also present in the event were Tanjina Sharmin, DeputyDirector and head of Friendship’s Communication department and Bitopi DasChowdhury, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing, Standard CharteredBangladesh.

Chars are some of the most climate vulnerableplaces on Earth. To alleviate hardship, Standard Chartered Bangladesh andFriendship have collaborated to help char residents to combat the keychallenges they face: access to clean drinking water, adequate food supply,proper shade from plants, help in arresting soil erosion, and most importantlyaccess to electricity. The Bank’s holistic Solar Village project withFriendship is aimed at providing sustainable assistance to Ghughumari’scommunity members. Standard Chartered and Friendship are also implementing a holisticagriculture programme to support residents of 36 hard-to-reach char communitiesacross the northern districts of Kurigram, Gaibandha, and Mymensingh, and inthe southern districts of Shaymnagar, Sathkhira, and Patuakhali. This programmedelivers sustainable agricultural technologies, training sessions, technicalguidance, and market-extension assistance, along with farm mechanisationsupport, and financial inclusion support for over 7,000 farmers.

As thenation’s long-term partner in progress, Standard Chartered has consistentlybeen linked to Bangladesh’s inspiring story of growth and resilience. For morethan 119 years, the Bank has remained dedicated to driving commerce anddevelopment by investing in communities; expanding the reach and scale ofservices to promote greater inclusion; and creating new opportunities. StandardChartered’s community engagement and sustainability initiatives focus oneconomic empowerment; improving access to health, education, financialliteracy; supporting agricultural innovation; promoting sports, arts, andculture as drivers of positive social transformation; and combatting climatechange.