Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury shared her experience as a woman in the public sector in her first and highly anticipated TEDx Talk at TEDxGulshan 2023, said a media release.

As a former State Minister for Women and Children Affairs and an accomplished advocate at the Supreme Court, she recognised the struggles many women face in general, especially after marriage, when they cannot build careers because of family responsibilities.

“Long hours in the chamber and the court. Coming back late at night, driving back home alone, and finding my children and family asleep was a common phenomenon throughout. But still, I hung in there and I pursued my profession as a lawyer.”

Dr. Chaudhury shared her journey of becoming a lawmaker from a junior lawyer at the age of 40 and subsequently maintaining the responsibility of being the State Minister for Women and Children Affairs. This provided her the opportunity to work for the women in Bangladesh at the grassroots level and to promulgate crucial policies such as the National Women Development Policy.

She then transports to the moment of becoming the Speaker of the Parliament as a female, particularly the uncertainty of the public regarding her role.

“How is it possible? A young woman like her, the Speaker of The Parliament?” she recalled her experience.

“I was worried that it was a responsibility of all the women in Bangladesh. What if I made a mistake? What if I could not perform? What if I failed in my duties? Would that ruin the opportunity for all the other women in future? Would there be any other woman in this position then?”

The Speaker emphasised the progressive and liberal minds of parents and family after marriage. She highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between work and family life and being committed towards one’s duties even under challenging circumstances.

She also encourages everyone, particularly those working in the public sector, to be aware of the challenges and be open to criticism while creating more opportunities for the females in Bangladesh to serve the country.

Dr. Chaudhury is a true paradigm of female leadership, representing females not only in Bangladesh but also in the global South. She leads exceptionally as a woman, a Bangladeshi, a mother, a wife, a politician, the Speaker of the National Parliament of Bangladesh and every other role she embarks on–setting an unparalleled example for women around the world.

Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul