Women of Bangladesh are not only demonstrating their success in the corporate sector and education, they are also aviating the sky and navigating the high seas.
Negotiating thousands of nautical miles, they are anchoring Bangladesh ships with their red and green flags in the largest ports of the world.
The modern ships of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) are not only transporting goods, they are giving messages of glory of advancement of Bangladesh women and their empowerment.
BSC sources said there are 17 female officers and cadets in three of their big ships ‘MV Banglar Joyjatra’, ‘MV Banglar Orjon’ and ‘MT Banglar Ogrojatra’.
Six more female cadets and officers remained prepared for the ship ‘MT Banglar Ogrodut’ which is waiting to be added to the fleet.
Concerned said the officials working in the ships are getting handsome allowances on the monthly basis, while the cadets are getting those on the daily basis.
Apart from this, they are receiving air fare for going to China to board the ship as well as accommodation and food cost and two sets of free uniforms. According to the maritime law, everybody working in the oceangoing ships will have insurance and Protection and Indemnity (P&I) coverage.
BSC General Manager Captain Jamal Hossain Talukdar said the officials and cadets working in the ships are allowed to maintain contact with their families through social media, email and telephone during their stay in the ports.
For any emergency need, he said, they can also talk to their near and dear ones through satellite phones.
“The Bangalee women are now doing good in all fields and working with reputation in many risky jobs including the air and sea … it’s a symbol of our women empowerment,” he remarked.
Captain Jamal said three new ships of the BSC are now staying in different ports and seas of the world. “Our female officers and cadets working in the ships are discharging their duties with honesty, integrity and professionalism by winning all challenges,” he said.
Replying to a question, Captain Jamal said thanks to the initiatives of the present government, the brave women have got an opportunity to prove their ability by working in these ships.
Cadets Atia Syeda, Anjuman Ara, Syeda Sabrina Babur, Sohana Parveen and Shatabdi Hossain are in ‘Banglar Joyjatra’ and Third Officer Beauty Aktar, Fourth Engineer Lovely Das, Cadet Moutusy Talukdar Brishty, Ishrat Jahan Setu, Tasnimul Bahar and Sajia Afreen boarded the ship ‘Banglar Orjon’ from Shanghai of China.
