Her power, her story celebrating dWomen at Daraz

In the dynamic business world, women are increasingly recognised as pivotal to driving innovation and growth. In Bangladesh, leaders like Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), have consistently highlighted the role of women in driving economic and policy reforms.

Companies across the globe are striving to create workplaces where women are valued, supported, and given the tools to succeed.

Among these trailblazers is Daraz Bangladesh, the country's leading e-commerce platform. In mid-2024, it launched its dWomen initiative, a comprehensive program to empower female employees and set a new standard for inclusivity in the corporate landscape.

The vision behind dWomen is simple and profound: to give women a platform to share their ideas, voice their concerns, and achieve their ambitions in an environment that celebrates their contributions. Rooted in Daraz's commitment to diversity and inclusion, dWomen is transforming the workplace by nurturing a culture of respect and collaboration.

One of the initiative's standout features is SheShines, a program that recognizes and celebrates the achievements of female employees within the organisation. Employees like Zarin Sultana in Customer Care, known for solving problems with a calm and supportive attitude, and Lamia, who has been with Daraz for over five years, ensuring timely deliveries, are just a few examples of outstanding female employees at Daraz Bangladesh. This recognition highlights individual achievements and inspires others to aim higher.

The programme also includes an Employee Dialogue Forum, where female employees can openly discuss their ideas and concerns. Complementing this is a Mentorship Programme, designed to guide and support junior female employees from experienced female colleagues. These initiatives ensure that women at Daraz have access to the resources and encouragement needed to thrive.

Daraz has also taken steps to address the practical needs of its female employees. The company ensures proper sanitation facilities at all workstations, provides free sanitary pads for emergencies, and has established a Female Resting Room at its headquarters where employees can relax and recharge.

Furthermore, the Solidarity Day initiative brings female employees together each month, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose by encouraging them to wear the same colour as a symbol of support.

The impact of dWomen has been remarkable. Since its launch, 95% of concerns raised by female employees have been resolved, underscoring the program's effectiveness. Oeshee Tabassum has expressed her satisfaction with the initiative: "I loved being featured in the 'She Shines' initiative - it's a great way to highlight women's amazing work at Daraz."

Looking ahead, Daraz plans to expand the scope of dWomen. Leadership training programs will be introduced to nurture the next generation of female leaders. The plan includes More wellness sessions focusing on mental and physical health and self-defence training to boost confidence. Networking events and monthly meetups will strengthen employee bonds, creating a vibrant community of empowered women at Daraz.

Daraz's efforts through the women initiative demonstrate its commitment to fostering gender empowerment in Bangladesh's corporate sector. By encouraging a supportive and inclusive environment, the company continuously strengthens opportunities for its female workforce and encourages similar efforts across the industry. Initiatives like women prove that prioritising gender equity is not just the right thing; it's a smart business strategy that drives success and innovation.

Speaking of the initiative, Ben Yi, the Managing Director at Daraz Bangladesh, commented: "E-commerce is a rapidly growing industry in the country, thriving on advanced practices and innovative approaches. At Daraz, we believe that gender equity initiatives boost business vitality and operational efficiency and reflect a commitment to international standards of professionalism."