Grameenphone has initiated a boot camp titled #NewNormal movement on August 2, 2019, in Banani Club Field to address social gender stereotypes and eventually help to eradicate it.
Michael Foley, CEO, Grameenphone; Quazi Ashiq Ur-Rahman CEO, Rancon Motorbikes Limited, Mahmud Hossain, Chief Business Officer, Grameenphone Ltd, Mohammad Shams Uddin Head of Marketing, Rancon Motorbikes Limited, and Syed Tanvir Husain, Chief Human Resources Officer, Grameenphone were present at the inauguration of the Bootcamp.
Gender stereotype and gender-based discriminations are prevalent globally, and Bangladesh is not an exception. Gender biased Socio-economic perception induces female workforce deprived of fundamental rights that they should otherwise be entitled to. This affects the workplace spirit where men and women work together to achieve a common goal.
Michael Foley, CEO, Grameenphone said, “We will not be able to reach our ambition of empowering Bangladesh through digital solutions and connectivity without breaking stereotypes and driving an inclusive work environment that empowers our female workforce. I am happy to see that we are not alone on this journey, and this collaboration will boost our confidence for a brighter tomorrow.”
Grameenphone believes that efficiency does rest upon gender labeling. The objective of this movement is to reduce inequality and breaking societal gender stereotypes, especially at the workplace. As a baby step towards achieving that ambition, #NewNormal movement has been devised to challenge stereotypical thinking and patriarchal upbringing.
Suzuki, as a part of the inter-industry collaboration, stepped up to support this cause and conducted a day-long bike riding Bootcamp for Grameenphone employees. #NewNormal movement demonstrates the determination that challenges conventional patriarchy. Bike riding is one of the many patriarchal symbolic activities providing mobility to both genders to realize their potential, inspire to collaborate, and achieve more.
CEO of Rancon Motorbikes Quazi Ashiq Ur-Rahman said, “We are very glad to be a part of this empowering initiative with Grameenphone which is a socially responsible company. At Suzuki, it’s part of our mission to establish ourselves as a non-traditionalist company through teamwork. #NewNormal is an apt concept helping blur the traditional gender stereotypes and improve gender parity. If we take small steps to break out of the conventional mind-frame, the possibilities are immense.”
Grameenphone plans to organize other various boot camps in the future for men on cooking, cleaning, doing the dishes, and many more as a part the role reversal campaign to break the stereotype.
