ISD marks women’s day with roundtable on leadership, stem and empowerment

International School Dhaka (ISD) marked International Women's Day 2026 with a roundtable bringing together women leaders from different sectors and professional backgrounds.

The discussion, titled "Give to Gain: Empowering Women, Empowering the Nation", focused on the practical impact of collaboration, mentorship and resource-sharing, as well as the barriers that continue to limit women's progress.

The panel discussed ways to increase girls' participation in STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — close the leadership gap in both the public and private sectors, and strengthen women-led initiatives around employment and economic independence.

Participants included Sayma Shawkat, managing director of ASK Telecom Ltd and director at Gears Group and BACCO; Sarah Karim, founder of Sarah Karim Couture; Anna Yang, robotics teacher at ISD; Amna Rahman, board vice-president of Thrive; Sadia Moyeen, board member and senior adviser at Thrive, director of Moyeen Foundation, and proprietor of La Belle Beauty Salon; and Zarin Rashid, director of TRZ Garments and director at the Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association (BAYLA).

Anna Yang said encouraging girls to enter STEM from an early stage is critical. "STEM education is critical for empowering the next generation of girls. We must give them the independence to explore their interests and the confidence to try new things. It is important that they understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process and that failure can sometimes be a precursor to innovation and leadership," she said.

Sayma Shawkat said the private sector can play an important role in expanding access to technology and skills training for girls. "There are still many girls who lack access to basic technology and gadgets, especially in rural areas where a single computer can be a barrier. Education and training are essential to unlocking opportunities for them. The private sector can play a crucial role by investing in skills development and creating pathways for young girls to gain confidence and enter the workforce," she said.

Panelists also highlighted the value of cross-sector collaboration among education, business and social organisations in creating stronger mentorship opportunities and expanding pathways for women to advance as professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders.

The roundtable was moderated by Towhida Afsar, Primary Years Programme coordinator at ISD, while Faresta Ali Malick, corporate relations representative at the school, delivered the opening remarks.

ISD said the school continues to support women through inclusive learning, mentorship and scholarship opportunities. It cited the example of Humaira Afia Orthy, an ISD student who joined the school's IB Diploma Programme on scholarship after studying under the national curriculum.