In the male-dominated world of technology, women in Bangladesh have long faced challenges such as gender biases, lack of mentorship, and limited access to opportunities. However, a new wave of change is emerging, fueled by powerful networks that are connecting women, offering mentorship, and providing a sense of community. These networks are empowering women to break through barriers and thrive in the tech industry.

In this blog, we will focus on three inspiring Bangladeshi women in tech whose success stories exemplify the transformative power of women’s networks and collaboration. By looking at the journeys of Samira Zuberi Himika, Rubaba Dowla, and Maliha M Quadir, we will explore how these women leveraged support systems to build successful careers in tech, showing how strength in numbers can lead to great success.

Samira Zuberi Himika: Pioneering Change in Bangladesh’s Tech Ecosystem

Samira Zuberi Himika is a celebrated entrepreneur and ecosystem builder who has been redefining Bangladesh’s technology landscape since 2007. With a vision to empower communities through innovation, she has successfully launched multiple “First of a Kind” initiatives, breaking glass ceilings and paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future in technology.  

Currently, Samira serves as the Senior Vice President of BASIS (Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services), the apex trade body for Software & IT-enabled services in Bangladesh. Her leadership in the 2022-23 tenure has focused on fostering policy reform, driving innovation, and promoting the growth of the ICT industry, with a special emphasis on inclusion and diversity.  

Before this, Samira held the position of Director at BASIS during the 2014-16 tenure, where she spearheaded several groundbreaking initiatives, including:  

– Advocating for TAX & VAT policies that support tech entrepreneurs.  

– Building the foundation for the Bangladesh Startup Ecosystem.  

– Promoting women in technology through targeted programs and funding opportunities.  

– Organizing national-level technology exhibitions and R&D campaigns.  

Driving Impact Through Innovation 

Samira’s portfolio companies are not just about profits—they are about creating meaningful impact. Her initiatives have transformed lives by leveraging technology in diverse sectors such as financial inclusion, agriculture, healthcare, and creative industries. Some highlights include:  

• Financial Inclusion: Samira’s projects have onboarded 3.1 million citizens into the financial ecosystem, empowering them with digital tools and resources.  
• Agricultural Digitization: Her platforms have connected 1.5 million farmers, millers, and distributors, enabling efficient and transparent operations within the agricultural supply chain.  
• HealthTech Solutions: Samira’s companies have rolled out healthcare technologies that benefit patients, doctors, and providers across Bangladesh.  
• Support for Creative Industries: By working with underrepresented craftsmen, artists, and animators, Samira has enabled local talent to gain global recognition.  

Mentorship and Giving Back to Society 

Samira’s passion for mentorship is evident in her work with young talents and entrepreneurs from Bangladesh, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Brunei. She actively guides the next generation of innovators, ensuring they have the skills, networks, and confidence to succeed.   Her advisory roles include working with the British Asian Trust and serving on the boards of esteemed organizations such as the internationally awarded Friendship NGO and Dnet.  

Key Takeaways from Samira’s Journey

• Innovative Leadership: Samira’s transformative projects have positioned her as a leader who drives meaningful change in Bangladesh’s ICT industry.  
• Empowering Communities: Through her ventures, she has uplifted millions, particularly in underserved and rural areas, by integrating technology into everyday life.  
• Championing Diversity: Samira has consistently advocated for women’s representation in technology, fostering an environment of inclusion and equity.  

Rubaba Dowla: Pioneering Innovation and Empowering Women in Technology

Rubaba Dowla is an accomplished corporate leader, visionary entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for women’s empowerment in Bangladesh. With over 24 years of experience in the ICT and telecommunications sectors, Rubaba has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive transformative change. Currently, she is the Country Managing Director of Oracle Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, where she leads operations for one of the world’s largest cloud technology companies.

Rubaba’s career trajectory is marked by her strategic leadership, innovative thinking, and unwavering commitment to excellence. She played a pivotal role in building Grameenphone, a Telenor subsidiary, into the market leader in telecommunications, driving its revenue to over $1 billion from its startup stage. At Airtel Bangladesh, she led the modernization of the service portfolio and introduced m-commerce solutions. Beyond her corporate achievements, Rubaba is the founder of Pulse Healthcare Service, a digital healthcare platform aimed at providing quality healthcare to rural populations through video consultations, e-diagnosis, and e-prescriptions.

A Passion for Innovation and Empowerment

Rubaba’s dedication to innovation has been recognized globally, with several of her product innovations receiving World GSMA awards. Beyond her professional success, she is deeply committed to empowering women and ensuring gender equality in the workplace. Her advocacy extends to initiatives that inspire, mentor, and uplift women in the technology and business sectors.

Her accolades include being named one of the Top 50 Women in Mobile Content by World Telecom, receiving the Begum Rokeya Award, and being recognized as one of the 5 Most Powerful Women in Mobile Asia. She has also been honored with the South Asian Business Excellence Award for Outstanding Women Leadership and the Anaya Top 10 Women Award.

Commitment to Social Impact

Rubaba’s impact extends beyond her professional achievements, with significant contributions to education, healthcare, and social development. She serves as a director for Marie Stopes Bangladesh, the Palliative Care Foundation, and the Jaago Foundation, while also sponsoring the Sporsho Braille Foundation and supporting Special Olympics Bangladesh as a board member. Additionally, her leadership shone as President of the Bangladesh Badminton Federation from 2009 to 2015, underscoring her dedication to inclusivity and community development across diverse fields.

Key Takeaways from Rubaba’s Journey

• Visionary Leadership: Rubaba’s strategic leadership has transformed organizations, particularly in the telecommunications and digital healthcare sectors.
• Champion for Women: She has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights and equality, working tirelessly to empower women across industries.
• Social Responsibility: Rubaba’s philanthropic efforts reflect her deep commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive society.
• Global Recognition: Her work has earned her international recognition, showcasing Bangladesh as a hub for innovation and leadership.

Maliha M Quadir: Revolutionizing Bangladesh’s Digital Landscape

Maliha M Quadir, the founder and managing director of Shohoz, is a pioneer in transforming the way millions of Bangladeshis access services through technology. Recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Maliha has dedicated her career to addressing critical challenges in logistics, finance, and technology, making a lasting impact in her home country.

In 2014, Maliha returned to Bangladesh after a successful international career to launch Shohoz. Her vision was to tackle the nation’s logistical hurdles and improve daily life for its people. Today, Shohoz is Bangladesh’s largest online service platform, offering solutions like online ticketing, ride-sharing, food delivery, and truck booking services to millions of users. Under her leadership, Shohoz has simplified the lives of countless consumers while setting new standards in innovation and service delivery.

Maliha’s journey began with a strong foundation in finance, working for global institutions like Morgan Stanley in New York and San Francisco (Investment Banking) and Standard Chartered in Singapore (Debt Capital Markets). She later transitioned into technology, where she led emerging markets digital strategy for multinational corporations like Nokia and Vistaprint from Singapore.

Her contributions have been widely recognized, earning her the Best Women Entrepreneur Award from the ICT Ministry, presented by the former Prime Minister during the 3rd Digital Bangladesh Day 2019 ceremony. She has also been honored with the Business Innovation Award at the American Alumni Association (AAA) Awards 2019, the DYDF Youth Icon Award (Entrepreneurship Category) 2019, and The Daily Star ICT Award, among others.

Key Takeaways from Maliha’s Journey:

• Driving Digital Transformation: By founding Shohoz, Maliha has revolutionized service accessibility in Bangladesh, empowering millions through technology.
• Global Expertise for Local Impact: With a rich career spanning finance and technology across multiple countries, Maliha has leveraged her international experience to create impactful solutions in Bangladesh.
• Championing Women in Entrepreneurship: Her success demonstrates how women leaders can inspire innovation and drive growth in male-dominated sectors.

Is it the end of success stories for the excelling Women in Tech? Stay tuned to find out more in our next blog!

Written by

Sabia Khan Aurora