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16 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 DT Feature Every woman’s partner Tailored services for women through Nibedita • Features Desk It is not very often that we see a big corporate venture place a great deal of emphasis on addressing social issues. However, Green Delta Insurance Company Limited (GDIC) – the largest and leading “AAA” rated non-life insurance company in Bangladesh – have spent years catering to the needs of different segments of society through numerous innovative and customised products. This includes ‘Shudin’ for garment workers, micro-health insurance ‘Niramoy’ for rural populations, ‘Probashi’ insurance for migrant workers and so on. But the flagship product of Green Delta is Nibedita – the first ever comprehensive insurance scheme for women in South Asia. Customised insurance for women Nibedita was designed to ensure women’s economic security and provide them with a platform to be socially and economically empowered. It can be availed by any Bangladeshi woman aged between 14 and 65 years old. They can get a coverage of BDT 100,000 to BDT 1,000,000 for a minimum annual premium of BDT 580 only. What makes Nibedita unique is that beside other insurance benefits, it provides trauma allowances for the victims of rape, street harassment and assault, acid attacks and other discriminatory acts. Farzana Chowdhury ACII (UK), managing director and CEO of Green Delta Insurance Company, was honoured at the UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit 2016, held in New York in June 2016, as one of ten Local Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Pioneers for her efforts in promoting gender equality in Bangladesh, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, through Nibedita. A tailored app for policy holders In order to create a one-stop service solution platform for women in Bangladesh, Green Delta have recently launched a mobile application called ‘Nibedita Mobile App’ for Nibedita policy holders. An event titled ‘Nibedita App Launch and Local SDG Celebration’ was held on October 8, 2016 at the Le Méridien Dhaka. Speaker of the Parliament, Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury MP, graced the occasion as chief guest and officially launched the app. She congratulated Green Delta Besides security, this app will also give women access to better health, capacity building, financial services and other value added services on such a noble initiative for women and also praised Farzana Chowdhury for being honoured as a Local SDG Pioneer by the UN Global Compact, calling her a source of inspiration to the millions of women in Bangladesh who want to break through socioeconomic barriers and succeed in their respective endeavours. She expressed her optimism on the role Nibedita can play in ensuring women‘s well-being. Special guest Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, state minister, ICT Division, expressed his delight at the app launch and hoped that Green Delta can be a role model for the private sector to come forward and play a pivotal role, along with the government, to realise the dream of Digital Bangladesh. He also provided assurance of his full support for Green Delta’s aspirations to help establish gender equality and women’s empowerment in Bangladesh. Ambassador of the US Embassy Dhaka, Mercia Bernicat, and former Bangladesh ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, Dr. A K Abdul Momen, were also present as guests of honour. Safety and services The unique feature of the Nibedita app is the panic button. Any women, when in danger, can press the panic button, which will create a loud siren-like sound and also simultaneously send a distress SMS, with her geographic location, to her relatives or nearest ones (according to the information provided during app registration), to Green Delta Head office and to the security service provider, who will mobilise its rescue team to the spot within 15-30 minutes for help. Besides security, this app will also give women access to better health, capacity building, financial services and other value added services. F or this, Green Delta has partnered with various service providers, to give Nibedita policy holders special offers and fast-track services. Some of the partners include EBL, IDLC, Elite Force, Ghurbo.com, Persona, Bagdoom.com, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Agora, Green Delta Securities Limited, Green Delta Capital Limited, Professional Advancement Limited and GD Assist Ltd. Farzana Chowdhury hopes that by empowering women, who constitute more than 52% of the population, Nibedita can play a pivotal role in the overall socio-economic development of Bangladesh. Nibedita is aspiring to play a pivotal role in the national development of Bangladesh by enriching the lives of millions of women across the country with the slogan – “Nibedita is every woman’s partner”.•
Feature 17 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 DT Gender be gone Breaking down stereotypes of masculinity • Tasaffy Hossain Gender equality – as soon as we usually hear those words, two major concepts come to our mind – women and feminism. And then the questions usually go into how something can be about equality, when we haven’t talked about the other side of the coin – men! Men – that epitome of MANkind, the torch bearer and the leader. Everywhere we look, we are bombarded with the different roles and forms that men take in our societies. Historical figures, newspapers, sports channels, movies and comics – there is an endless number of male characters that help to define what it means to be a man. Or is that what we would like to think? If we actually try to break down these people, whether fictional or real, I think what truly stands out is that fact that most of these men are usually revered for some of the same basic things – looks, strength, brilliance, and mostly for being winners. Whether in sports, business or politics, men are respected and celebrated solely based on their prowess at being a leader. Starting from the kindergarten playground, through advanced levels of education systems into the workplace – the one clear message about what it means to be a man, is simply that they are successful. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying this makes life easier for women, but maybe we have missed out on noticing what this constant pressure on men in needing to be the best has done. Coming back to gender roles, the black and white designation of manliness or masculinity has remained unchallenged for a long time. Men are still seen as the household head, the bread earner, the stable problem solver. Feminism and gender rights projects have been pushing to break down the barriers of femininity and womanhood, encouraging girls and women to be just as independent, competitive, and worldly as their male counterparts, while also being able to love their feminine sides. The same encouragement has not been provided to men, who are still only being acknowledged and noticed for those same masculine traits and “manly” roles as before. We celebrate the woman who can do it all, we celebrate mothers for their ability to give everything up and we even celebrate women who have the courage to maneuver societal pressures by being happily single. Do note that by “we”, I mean the liberal, feminist circles and mindsets that have been evolving even within the social constraints of Dhaka. But we have not The black and white designation of manliness or masculinity has remained unchallenged for a long time yet embraced the notion of stay-athome fathers, or husbands being less successful than their wives, or even male nurses or caregivers. And that is where we have failed to push for gender equality from the other side. Equality is when we are not holding anyone back or judging them for making a choice that suits them on an individual basis, but does not fit into our preconceived notions of gender roles. That can only be possible once we acknowledge that our socially constructed gender norms are not benefiting either males or females, and agree to create the space for anyone to become who they want to be. Keeping this is mind, the upcoming production “Men don’t TALK” will delve into the issues that boys and men face while growing up in a society like Dhaka’s, where there is a strong pressure to uphold gender norms and fit into the roles set up by society. The shows will be held on 4th and 5th November in Khamarbari and Gulshan-1 respectively. Further information can be found on the facebook page: Men don’t TALK 2016. • Tasaffy Hossain is the founder of Bonhishikhaunlearn gender. Bonhishikha believes that who you look like, how you are treated and what role you play should not be determined by the sex organ that you are born with
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