Women have to increase their participation in the front line jobs, including sales jobs in manufacturing/ marketing companies, so that they can scale up to the top job of the companies, said Rupali Chowdhury, President of the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). “When I started my career I found women mostly employed either as telephone operators or Personal Assistants (PAs), but the situation has now changed significantly,” she said in an exclusive interview with the Financial Express (FE). Ms. Rupali Chowdhury is managing director at Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited (BPBL) a multinational company. She is currently leading the FICCI for the second term (2015-17). “In recent years, I have observed a significant change in the mindset of the parents and the society as a whole about working women. Those changes have paved the way for women empowerment and ensured their increased participation in challenging professions,” she said. “Along with the support of the society, female workers are also being helped by the labor law which ensures their rights at the working place. As part of such positive laws, women are now enjoying six months’ maternity leave which is a big support for them,” she added. “However, some basic aids, including safety and security of women, need to be ensured for creating sustainable working environment for women working outdoors. The more challenging and rewarding jobs, like working in direct sales, might require employees to be out in the field for most of their working hours”, Ms. Chowdhury said. “State support is needed for working women, along with support from corporate houses. Women workers often use public transports. So, their safety and security should be ensured in urban, semi-urban and rural areas. Safe transport facilities need to be expanded across the country.” Ms. Chowdhury also mentioned women employees’ need for support from the top level of their companies. “The top management should realize that the woman employee is competent enough to represent the company from the front line. At the same time, the attitude of the woman employee should remain positive and sincere. Many women join the corporate world in the entry-level but some of them drop out from the profession after getting married or giving birth to her first child. This trend has to be reversed. The female employee must make her mark in the organization through attitude, hard work and creativity. In the time of her needs, like during pregnancy or early days of motherhood; the company should also extend its wholehearted support. In this digital age, marriage or pregnancy shouldn’t be a barrier for women workers. For exceptional female employees and those working in the IT Sector, home based connectivity through virtual connection can be set up. Such facilities will allow them to stay engaged in the job even during the time of pregnancy or any other family matters.” “Gradually, companies are showing more interest in recruiting women in challenging jobs including sales jobs which require field visits. Organizations should invest in keeping those employees and keep on working towards adjusting men-women ratio in the workplace. “Female workers’ participation in the country’s readymade garments industry is noticeable. These women, coming from rural areas, laid the first stone of social changes.” Ms. Chowdhury also appreciated the role of non-government organizations in motivating the women and showing them the way to social transformation. “Women nowadays are engaged in many challenging professions. Media houses, especially TV channels, radio, & press outlets, employed many women journalists who are working with their male counterparts and covering programmes at night.” She said. “Previously, only economic independence of women was important. But nowadays, there is aspiration to be successful in career. There has been a change in the mindset of our mothers too. “Apart from service sector, entrepreneurial development among women is significant. Many of the women entrepreneurs are really doing excellent jobs in their respective fields.” “With the increased participation of the young generation, it can be expected that corporate and business world will get some women leaders within the next five to ten years,” she concluded. “Participation of professional women in the board of directors of companies should also increase in the coming days.”
