ISD roundtable highlights mentorship and collaboration on International Women’s Day

International School Dhaka (ISD) organised a roundtable to mark International Women’s Day 2026, bringing together women leaders from different sectors.

The discussion, titled “Give to Gain: Empowering Women, Empowering the Nation,” focused on collaboration, mentorship and resource-sharing, says a press release.

Participants discussed ways to increase the participation of girls in STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — and examined the leadership gap in the public and private sectors.

Among the participants were Sayma Shawkat, managing director of ASK Telecom Ltd and director at Gears Group and the Bangladesh Association of Contact Center and Outsourcing (BACCO); Sarah Karim, founder of Sarah Karim Couture; Anna Yang, robotics teacher at International School Dhaka; Amna Rahman, board vice president of Thrive; Sadia Moyeen, board member and senior advisor at Thrive, director of Moyeen Foundation and proprietor of La Belle Beauty Salon; and Zarin Rashid, director of TRZ Garments and director at the Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association (BAYLA).

Anna Yang said, “STEM education is critical for empowering the next generation of girls. We must give them the independence to explore their interests and the confidence to try new things. It is important that they understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process and that failure can sometimes be a precursor to innovation and leadership.”

Sayma Shawkat said, “There are still many girls who lack access to basic technology and gadgets, especially in rural areas where a single computer can be a barrier. Education and training are essential to unlocking opportunities for them. The private sector can play a crucial role by investing in skills development and creating pathways for young girls to gain confidence and enter the workforce.”

Panelists also discussed collaboration between education institutions, businesses and social organisations to expand mentorship opportunities and support women in professional and entrepreneurial roles.

The roundtable was moderated by Towhida Afsar, Primary Years Programme (PYP) coordinator at ISD.

Opening remarks were delivered by Faresta Ali Malick, corporate relations representative at ISD.

International School Dhaka said women educators, leaders, students and more than 300 women alumni contribute to the school community.

The school also provides support through inclusive learning, mentorship and scholarship opportunities. One example is Humaira Afia Orthy, an ISD student who joined the school’s IB Diploma Programme on scholarship after studying under the national curriculum.