The Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN) and Eastern Bank PLC. (EBL) enter into a partnership to empower women with disabilities through comprehensive digital skills training.
This collaboration seeks to enhance disability inclusion within workplaces, equipping them with essential tools for thriving in a digital economy.
An agreement to this effect was signed by Murteza Rafi Khan, CEO of BBDN, and Ziaul Karim, Head of Communications and External Affairs of EBL at the bank’s head office in Dhaka on January 9. EBL also handed over a cheque to BBDN for the initiative.
As part of the initiative, 15 women with disabilities will receive specialized digital skills training during the first year of the partnership. This program aims to build their confidence and open doors to meaningful careers in the technology-driven world.
This initiative underscores the growing dedication of the private sector, particularly within the banking industry, to championing inclusion and supporting the skill development of persons with disabilities. By leading such efforts, the partnership exemplifies how creating a more equitable society is achievable.
“Women with disabilities are significantly marginalized in our society, at the intersection of gender and disability, as such we are grateful to EBL for coming forward to materialize solutions that can serve their underserved needs in terms of skills development and employment. We look forward to collaboration closely with employers and training institutes to ensure the initiatives are provided through an inclusive market driven approach with a clear pathway to career development opportunities said Murteza Rafi Khan, CEO of BBDN.
“At EBL, we believe in the power of digital skills to transform lives. This collaboration with BBDN aligns with our mission to foster inclusion and support skill development for persons with disabilities,” stated Ahmed Shaheen, Additional Managing Director of EBL.
The agreement signing and cheque handover ceremony was attended by Aziza Ahmed, Head of Operations; Zameare Rahman, Senior Accounts and Administration Manager; Arup Ratan Chowdhury, Program Manager from BBDN; and Maj Md. Abdus Salam (Retd), Head of Administration; Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Company Secretary; Mostafa Sarwar, Head of Credit Risk Management; Saiful Islam, Head of RMD from EBL among others.
