Dhaka, Bangladesh – Ambassador Nasim Firdaus joined the Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) when the Bangladesh Country Chapter was launched in September 2011. Realizing the need to actively advance women’s empowerment in Bangladesh, Firdaus was one of several women who pushed for such a volunteer organization and she brings her extensive background in politics, government and diplomacy along with a passion for empowering future women leaders in Bangladesh to the country chapter.

Following Firdaus retirement from civil service in 2008, which included posts as ambassador to Egypt, Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Firdaus established the Bangladesh Alliance for Women Leadership (BDAWL) to develop the next generation of women leaders in her country. The mission of BDAWL is to conduct leadership capacity building trainings throughout the country, and identify and support potential women candidates for office. BDAWL also focuses on increasing the capacity of women elected officials through its parliamentary orientation program. Under Firdaus’ leadership, in February of 2011, BDAWL opened its official Leadership Training Academy, which has already trained 200 women from a wide range of professional backgrounds in effective leadership skills, developing media relations, public speaking and communication skills, decision making and conflict resolution. 

BDAWL also hosts conferences to discuss international best practices for enhancing women’s participation in political processes and decision making roles. In 2010, BDAWL published the first ever directory of Bangladeshi women leaders entitled Who’s Who: Women Leaders at a Glance which highlights 100 women leaders in various spheres of society and government.

With the Bangladesh Country Chapter, Firdaus is now implementing WDN’s new Women’s Leadership Schools initiative funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund. The initiative is being conducted in four WDN member countries including Bangladesh, Cameroon, Georgia and Guatemala.

WDN is proud to welcome Ambassador Firdaus to its global network. Her commitment to empowering women in her country is paving the way for a new generation of Bangladesh women leaders.