A flourishing entrepreneur scene has transformed the Saudi business world. Startups contribute to the nation's branding efforts and aim to tackle unemployment, as it aims to move away from a dependence on oil revenue. It's now almost impossible to imagine the Saudi economy without the thriving startup scene and its female entrepreneurs. Less than a decade ago, the situation was largely different. "There was literally no ecosystem for startup companies," Maha Shirah, one of the first female Saudi entrepreneurs in Riyadh, told DW. For women, starting a business was particularly tough. In 2014, when Shirah opened the country's first workspace for women, laws still restricted the participation of women in many industries. Ten years on, the Saudi Ministry of Commerce haspublished a comprehensive list of workspaces for women, and the local startup landscape is not only thriving but is driven by women across all industries. "When it comes to laws affecting women's decisions to work, laws affecting women's pay, constraints on women starting and running a business, and laws affecting the size of a woman's pension, Saudi Arabia gets a perfect score of 100," the recent World Bank report Women, Business and the Law 2024 concluded. The 2021-2022 Women's Report for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also stated that 95% of Saudi women listed entrepreneur as a good career choice. Although current statistics on female labor force participation and female entrepreneurs have yet to be published, the trend is apparent. "Between 2017 and 2021, the Saudi female labor force participation rate doubled from 17.4% to 35.6%, comfortably exceeding the 'Vision 2030' target of raising it to 30%," Tim Callen, a visiting fellow at the Washington-based think tank Arab Gulf States Institute, wrote in January 2024. There is no doubt that Vision 2030 — a socioeconomic set of reforms introduced in January 2016 by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — has been the key driver of this process. Part and parcel of the overhaul is the inclusion of women in the workforce, tackling the pressing issue of unemployment, pushing for diversification from oil revenues and opening the country for tourists. Structuring the Saudi startup scene "I remember well that before 2017, very few courses at school or university focused on startups or entrepreneurship at all," said Shirah. She also recalled that starting a business was only an option for rich people, for everyone else, it "was considered a stigma." Due to the governmental initiatives, however, nowadays "everybody with a solid idea can become an entrepreneur, obviously including women," she said. Over time, the government has even become one of the most active investors in its local startup scene. This March's tech summit Leap24, for example, recorded a staggering $11.9 billion investmentby the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. In Shirah's view, the Saudi startup scene is doing quite well already and growing still. She believes that from now on, more startup accelerators and incubators will be needed. Startup incubators support early-stage startups in helping them to develop their idea into a business. Accelerators support already existing businesses with resources and mentorship. Incubators, accelerators are the next step For Marriam Mossalli, a Saudi entrepreneur who has been advocating for female empowerment through her nonprofit organization Under The Abaya for years, advising startups has become a new endeavor. (An abaya is a robe-like dress that covers the entire body except for head, hands and feet.) In 2024, Mossalli launched C-Suite Advisory, an investment and business consultancy. The term C-Suite refers to a company's leadership positions like CEO (chief executive officer) and COO (chief operating officer). She also invested in several female-run startups. "As a female entrepreneur myself, I know firsthand the challenges presented to us," she told DW, adding that for her "it was time to put my money where my mouth is." One of the startups Mossalli advises is Sirene, a third-party e-commerce luxury fashion retailing company that was recently founded by the Saudi entrepreneur Basma Barzangi. "I am still at the pre-seed phase and actively seek investors, so I do find myself concerned about the future," Barzangi told DW. However, as an entrepreneur she said she has learned to embrace setbacks "as part of the journey." "It's important to remember that even failure is just a stepping stone to success," she said. Her view exemplifies change, too. "For decades, the concept of failure was frowned upon in Saudi Arabia," Sebastian Sons, senior researcher with the German Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient, told DW. "This has been changing as many young people recognize that failure can be part of their business experience and they are now willing to take this risk," he said. Startups as a strategy toward nation branding Fostering a lively startup scene serves its reasons, said Sons, not only for the society but also for Saudi Arabia's government. "The focus is on economic diversification as the state is no longer able to absorb many employees in the public sector, and the private sector needs to be strengthened," he said. "The second reason is the external and internal impact of supporting startups." On the one hand, the government signals they are promoting personal initiative via startups as part of nation branding, he said. Son said there is another component as well: "It is also part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's power consolidation in the country." But the situation for women rights in Saudi Arabia isn't perfect, just because more women have the opportunity to become entrepreneurs. According to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2024, "further legal reforms remain severely undermined by widespread repression under de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and a number of women's rights defenders, including Loujain al-Hathloul, remain banned from travel and under suspended prison sentences."

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], March 12 (ANI): Tibetan women-in-exile held a candle march in the north Indian hill town of Shimla, marking the 65th anniversary of Tibetan Women’s National Uprising Day and protesting against the atrocities being committed by the Chinese authorities in Tibet. Tibetan women including Buddhist students, monks and others gathered in the north Indian hill town of Shimla to mark the anniversary and also to remember the women who died during the 1959 women’s uprising inside Tibet. The Tibetan women-in-exile participated under the banner of the Regional Chapter of TWA (Tibetan Women Association) and appealed to the international community to support the cause of Tibet. Dawa Cheodon, the organiser of the protest and Tibetan freedom activist said that through the protest, they aim to globally highlight the situation in Tibet amid Chinese atrocities. “Today we are here to mark the 65th Women National Uprising Day. On this day in 1959, 15,000 Tibetan women gathered near Potala Palace to protest against Chinese illegal occupation. We have gathered to pay tribute to those who died for us. Through this peace march, we are trying to highlight to the world about the situation in Tibet,” Cheodon said. “There is no internet or news access inside Tibet. China is planning a hydroelectric dam inside Tibet which is a big threat to the people and the monasteries. The degradation of our land and our people only benefits China,” she added. Tsering Dorjee, the spokesperson of the Tibetan community in exile, highlighted the human rights violations in Tibet and said that the dam being built on the Indo-China border presents a grave threat to the local culture as well as to the region. “Tibetan communities across the globe are protesting today to mark the 65th anniversary of the Tibetan Women’s National Uprising. On this day in 1959, women protested inside Tibet and today we are marking the anniversary. Today, human rights violations continue inside Tibet. Education rights are being snatched, the environment is being destroyed, and big dams are being built on the mountains on the Indo-China border,” he said. “These dams would be a threat to India and to the entire Asia. In the Kham region, a dam is being built that would destroy the important monasteries in the region. People are being displaced forcefully and are being imprisoned. Child labour is also being committed. Today through this peace march we are appealing to the world to get united against China and give a befitting reply,” Dorjee added. On March 12, 1959, Tibetans women in Lhasa on national uprising were protesting against the PRC (People’s Republic of China). Thousands of Tibetan women were killed in Chinese rebuttal and over 80,000 Tibetans including spiritual leader Dalai Lama were forced to flee India. Since then, thousands of Tibetans are living in-exile in India and other parts of the globe. A large number of Tibetan women in exile across the globe protested and remembered those Tibetan women who were killed over 6 decades ago inside Tibet.  Source: ANI

The UN has warned that pregnant women and those who survived sexual assault could face healthcare challenges as gang attacks paralyze the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. Some 3,000 pregnant women in Haiti's capital could be cut off from essential healthcare if the ongoing security crisis continues, with gang violence surging as armed gangs control most of Port-au-Prince. "If greater Port-au-Prince remains at a standstill in the coming weeks, almost 3,000 pregnant women could be denied access to essential health care," the UN's office in Haiti (BINUH) said in a statement on Friday. Abortion is illegal in Haiti. Hospitals have issued warnings regarding staff, bed and blood shortages. What did the UN say? The office also warned that almost 450 women could face life-threatening obstetric complications if they do not receive medical assistance. Meanwhile, over 500 sexual violence survivors are at risk of being cut off from medical care by late March. "Sexual violence against women and girls is used as a weapon of war, intimidation, territorial control and domination," BINUH said. UN's Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Ulrika Richardson added that many women and girls were "victims of indiscriminate violence committed by armed gangs." "Fighting to stop violence against women in Haiti and investing in them is indispensable for ensuring a just, prosperous and peaceful society," she added. The UN office said partner organizations who work on preventing gender violence in camps for internally displaced people had cut or halted most of their services, citing safety reasons. Gangs are reported to be carrying out mass rapes across the country, with their control expanding. Many victims do not report the attacks, fearing retaliation. What is happening in Haiti? Haiti's government announced on Thursday the extension of a state of emergency and nighttime curfew in an effort to curb the gang violence which has engulfed the capital. The state of emergency was extended by one month. Prime Minister Ariel Henry was in Kenya last week to lobby for UN-backed police deployment in his country. Henry is now reportedly stuck in Puerto Rico, unable to return home. Violence has spiraled in the Caribbean nation in his absence, with the gangs demanding his resignation.   Last weekend, inmates from two major prisons in Haiti escaped in a prison break, resulting in the country announcing the state of emergency. The decree was signed by Finance Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert, who is the acting president. "Our goal is to break the system. We are fighting against Ariel with the last drop of our blood," said gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, a former police officer who vowed to oust Henry, said. The United Nations estimates that 1,193 people have died since the beginning of the year due to gang violence. Over 313,000 people are also internally displaced in Haiti. In addition to widespread accounts of rape, there have also been many reports of torture and ransom kidnappings.   

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the Joyeeta Award to five outstanding women on the occasion of the International Women's Day. The awardees were given a medal, a cheque for Taka one lakh, a crest and a certificate. The award giving ceremony held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Friday (March 8). Anarkali, a successful entrepreneur and businessman from Mymensingh received the award.  Pakhi Dutta (Hijra) of Khulna district received the award in the category of 'Women who have contributed in social development'. Besides, Kallyani Minji (education and employment) of Rajshahi district, and  Komoli Rabi Dash (successful mother) of Moulvibazar district of Sylhet division Jahanara Begum (repression prevention) of Barguna district received the award. The theme of this year's International Women's Day is 'Women's equal rights, equal opportunities'.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought a special fund for creating more women entrepreneurs for their socioeconomic progress and more loan at concessional rates to implement climate-related projects. Addressing the World Bank, she said, "You (WB) can give a special fund for the socio-economic development of women in Bangladesh." The special fund will accelerate the government's efforts to create women entrepreneurs. ’ The Prime Minister said this when World Bank Managing Director (Operations) Anna Bojerde paid a courtesy call on her at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here this afternoon. Prime Minister's Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam briefed the reporters after the meeting.

A new conservative political party is looking to tap into discontent among men who say it is unfair that they have to put in 18 months of military service when women are not obliged to serve. A new conservative party set up in South Korea ahead of the general election in April has provoked debate about the future of the nation's military by calling for women to complete compulsory military service if they want to subsequently take up careers in the police, fire brigade or the corrections service.  At present, all able-bodied Korean men are required to serve at least 18 months in one of the branches of the nation's armed forces, but all female members of the military are volunteers. That policy has been sustainable for the armed forces until now but — faced with a shrinking population — it will soon be unsustainable for national defense, the leaders of the New Choice Party said recently as they began their election campaign. Announcing the party's platform in late January, joint-founders Keum Tae-sup and Ryu Ho-jeong said requiring women to complete the same mandatory service would help to solve gender conflicts in Korean society as well as bolster the nation's armed forces. Imbalance in North-South forces At present, approximately 360,000 men and women serve in the South Korean ground forces, facing the 1.1-million-strong North Korean army across the heavily fortified border. As the South's birthrate continues to decline, however, it is anticipated that its army will have a pool of 290,000 service personnel to call on in a decade and just 190,000 in 20 years from now. North Korea, however, will still have a standing army of more than 1 million men and women. "Gender is a heated topic in South Korea at the moment, especially as we get closer to the election," said Kim Seong-kyung, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.  "In the last general election, the threat posed by North Korea was high up on the agenda and won or lost votes for parties, but we also saw women increasingly gaining a voice and the spread of feminism in Korean society as women spoke out against cyber-bullying because of their gender and other similar issues," she told DW. "But when young women raised their voices and we saw the MeToo movement here, young men reacted against that," she said. "These are the young men who feel that the nation's patriarchal system no longer exists, that their lives are really difficult, that only they have responsibility, and a sense of anger that only men have to serve in the military." Targeting dissatisfied men That resentment towards women has manifested itself in the emergence of a populist conservative party that is unabashedly targeting dissatisfied 20- and 30-year-old males. Another New Choice Party policy that is proving successful is the proposal to scrap the scheme that allows pensioners to travel free on Seoul's subway system, which the party is portraying as adding to the burden on working men. Han Ye-jung, a lawyer in Seoul, is strongly opposed to the party's proposals. "They say they are doing it to guarantee gender equality? That's not good enough," she said. "This is a male-dominated society, where men are the priority and enjoy all the privileges simply because they are men," she said. "For me, the price that they have to pay for that privilege is the time they have to serve in the military." Han believes that military service should remain optional for women and there should be no link between mandatory service and future job opportunities in other public sector jobs, but she stressed that the issue will not need to be addressed imminently. "That party will not win many votes in the election in April because they just do not have enough support for their policies, which is not surprising as they are doing nothing to appeal to female voters," she said. Alternative solutions Some analysts have put forward alternative solutions to the problem of a dwindling population in a country facing a belligerent and unpredictable neighbor, including longer periods of conscription and increased integration of technology into the armed forces, but both have drawbacks. Men are unlikely to want to serve even longer in the armed forces, while technology is expensive and far from infallible, while existing systems still require human oversight. Neither of South Korea's two main parties — the ruling People Power Party of President Yoon Suk-yeol, and the main opposition Democratic Party — has made commitments on women compulsorily serving in the armed forces. And the Defense Ministry this week said it was not drawing up plans to introduce female conscription.   Kim agrees that the New Choice Party is a fringe political group that is unlikely to attract sufficient votes to give it a voice in the new parliament, although the issues facing the armed forces that it has raised will need to be addressed sooner or later.   "There are simply not enough people in South Korea at a time when tensions with North Korea are worsening," she said. "This is the reality and we also need to reflect changing mindsets among the younger generations. We need to have the discussion on whether women should also serve in the military and the issue is going to become even more heated in the next couple of years."  

There's a clear correlation between the pay gap between men and women, and the birth of the first child, say statisticians. Women in Germany earned 18% less on average than men in 2023, the country's Federal Statistics Office (Destatis) said on Thursday. On an adjusted basis, the gap was 6%, it added.   The report showed that women, on average, earned €20.84 ($22.7) per hour last year, compared with €25.3 for men. Statisticians have been calculating the gender pay gap — which shows the difference in average gross earnings between men and women — since 2006 when it stood at 23%. The difference had steadily decreased until 2020, to 18%. It has remained unchanged since then. There are also regional differences within Germany: While the pay gap in western Germany stood at 19%, it was far lower in states that were formerly part of the communist East Germany, at 7%.    What are the reasons behind the gap? Destatis came up with several reasons why the pay gap has persisted. It said women's earnings begin to stagnate from the age of 30 years, the average age when women in Germany have their first child. "This could be because women interrupt their careers more frequently during their working lives for family reasons and work part-time," the agency said, citing child care and household responsibilities. It pointed out that women's career advancement and pay rises are therefore less frequent. The agency said structural reasons could have also contributed to the gap. It said women are more likely than men to work in sectors and professions that pay less. "They are also more frequently employed part-time or in marginal employment than men, which is also associated with lower average gross hourly earnings." For women and men employed for the same number of hours with the same qualifications in the same kinds of jobs, the statistics show that women earn 6% less than men on average. Pay gap not just in Germany Gender pay gap persists not just in Germany, but also across the European Union. In the EU overall, women are paid 13% less than men on average for an equal job, according to the European Commission. And progress on closing this gap has been slow.   In March 2020, the European Commission set out a strategy to close the gender pay gap by 2025. The Pay Transparency Directive was introduced in June 2023, making it possible for workers to determine if they're being discriminated against, or for employers to make sure they're applying the principles of equal pay.

The UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the People’s Republic of China’s US$1.5 million contribution to improve hygiene services of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Over 60,000 Rohingya women and girls, between twelve and 50 years old, will benefit from the support through China’s assistance body, the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) until 2025.  “This generous support from China comes at a crucial time, as we are into the seventh year of the current Rohingya refugee crisis,” said Sumbul Rizvi, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh. Refugee women and girls have been receiving two hygiene kits each year. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) will partner with UNHCR to ensure over 250,000 kits under China’s grant support will reach Rohingya women. “China assumes its responsibility as a major country and provides assistance to help the displaced people improve living conditions. We look forward to undertaking more initiatives with UNHCR in future. The long-term solution to the crisis, however, lies in repatriation of the displaced people to Myanmar,” said Yao Wen, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh. UNHCR and the Chinese Government will collaborate to provide these kits. Chinese funding will ensure the provision of some items, including bathing and laundry soaps, as well as buckets. Over 200 women in Cox’s Bazar, from the refugee and Bangladeshi host communities, will work to produce the remaining items for the hygiene kits. It allows them to put their skills to use for their community, while also gaining an opportunity for limited self-reliance and livelihoods to support themselves. “Refugee women we talk to have highlighted the value of such kits, which they say are essential, and welcome the quality of the items produced by women within their own community,” said UNHCR’s Ms. Rizvi. UNHCR continues to work closely with women and the authorities in Bangladesh to improve living conditions. The offer of humanitarian assistance by countries, including China, is greatly needed to support the Government of Bangladesh in its humanitarian effort to respond to the Rohingya refugee situation. In 2023, humanitarian agencies have appealed for more than US$876 million to support almost 1.5 million people, including 960,000 Rohingya refugees and 495,000 Bangladeshis in neighbouring communities. By early December 2023, the Joint Response Plan was approximately 50 per cent funded.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ranked 46th on the Forbes list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women of 2023. She ranked 42nd on the same list and 43rd in 2021. Moreover, PM Sheikh Hasina is the longest-serving prime minister in the history of Bangladesh. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen topped the list, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde was ranked second, and US Vice President Kamala Harris, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US pop sensation Taylor Swift were in third, fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Dhaka, November 30, 2023 – Global community marks 16 days of Activism each year between 25 November to (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) 10 December (Human Rights Day) to end violence against women and girls. In this Regard, on Thursday, Plan International Bangladesh has arranged a Round Table Dialogue (RTD) session during 16 Days of Activism where the respective Ambassadors, CEO as well as the girls with whom this year’s Girl’s Take over took place joined the session at Canada Club. The purpose of this RTD session was to celebrate the incredible potential of girls and amplify voices to protect and support young girl activists. Also, to learn practical experiences from the girls to create impact and reinforce the rights of girl child with an urge to increase investments for girls both nationally and globally.  Canadian Ambassador to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls said that, ensuring gender equality is an ongoing battle all over the world.  Advocacy with legislative body is essential to create mass awareness. Community based approach has to be implemented in the communities and families to break stereotypes and bring powerful change in the society.  Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg von Linde mentioned that, gender equality means looking at women and girls as an asset. Until now, child marriage is the most severe form of gender-based violence. We believe that, girls and women are the master of their own life. We have started to work on policy level to update the laws to mitigate this issue.  British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said that, in order to achieve the full potential, it is pertinent for a girl to receive complete 12 years of education. It is also important to include boys as well. Violence against women and girls is unacceptable. We all need to work together at all levels to change the social norms that exist in the society and find possibilities for women and girls to flourish.  Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Yasir Azman said that, Surface level conversation is not enough. This discussion session will help us to update our modality of work that can bring gender balance within the system. However, we cannot work alone. Grameen phone is working with organizations like Plan International Bangladesh and providing training to students at school level to empower and inspire young girls by giving them a unique opportunity to step into leadership roles and gain insights into various industries. Canadian Ambassador to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls; Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg von Linde; British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke; Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Yasir Azman and our take over girls of this year-Sanjana, Shawpna, Priti, Shampa, Taslima, Poly, Maleka, Boishakhi, Runa, Shila, Halima were present as panelists in the session. Kabita Bose, Country Director, Plan International Bangladesh moderated the whole sessions. Nishath Sultana, Director - Policy, Advocacy, Influencing and Campaigns, Plan International Bangladesh delivered welcome remarks on the arrival of the distinguished guests. On the occasion, the girls discussed about the daily obstacles that girls face in their community such as- early marriage issue, girls’ education especially on drop out cases, gender-based violence and pointed out the challenges they face from Bangladesh’s patriarchal society and how they have fought back against stereotypes and social norms. They also proposed areas where they require investment for the girls to create a positive impact to foster gender inclusion in their community. They also shared their take over experience of this year. The dialogue session opened windows to understand the real and emerging challenges that girls are facing in their home and communities that hinders their progress. Through the session some practical and sustainable solutions of the problems came out. Plan International Bangladesh believes that this dialogue will inspire girls to amplify their voices and make them more confident for bringing greater changes in their own lives and communities.