In 2025, I founded an online global platform called ‘Women Cultural Empowerment International’ (WCEI) with the goal of empowering women culturally. It is a non-profit organization based in Canada. Even then, a few highly educated young and old citizens from various countries in Asia, Europe, America, and Africa, starting from my native Bangladesh, including the Middle East, came forward to work.
One of the goals of ‘Women Cultural Empowerment International’ or WCEI ( https://wceia.org ) is to empower women who are victims of domestic violence, poverty and cultural injustice. Along with this, we would like to show women the way to business in innovation, cultural diversity, social enterprise models, as well as advise them to go abroad for higher education. Because, we believe that in the traditional, tradition-based societies of developing countries, only financial and legal support is not enough to truly empower women in their families and societies. There is more to be done for them.
It is undoubtedly an honor to be nominated for the Global Impact and Mentorship Awards under the Women Empowerment Awards of Canada. However, the real significance of this recognition lies in the nature of its work. The model we have developed is not limited to increasing women’s economic capacity; it also takes into account socio-cultural barriers. This perspective has not yet been sufficiently institutionalized in the development discussion, and this is where our work is original. I am using my PhD study experience at Griffith University in Australia in this regard.
We, the WCEI, believe that cultural empowerment is not just a theoretical term; it is a practical method through which women can reconstruct their social status and identity. This model or method will provide an alternative path, especially in traditional societies where women face many invisible barriers.
Our thinking is, of course, influenced by the social business philosophy of Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. His initiative reflects the idea of putting solutions to social problems at the center of business, going beyond profit. As a result, his work is not just a project; it is a vision that can be sustainable in the long term.
Another important aspect of our work is academic mentorship. Many students in developing countries dream of higher education but are held back by the lack of necessary guidance. Whether it’s writing a research proposal, finding a suitable supervisor, or applying for international scholarships, there is a clear lack of support. The model he has developed addresses this gap, both helping students and ensuring academics get fair value for their time and effort.
I started my professional career working at the Bangladesh office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). That experience and personal reflection have formed the basis for my new work. The idea of using intangible cultural heritage, such as handicrafts, oral traditions and traditional knowledge, as a tool for development is now gaining importance in the global discussion. We want to open up a new dimension by linking this field with women’s empowerment.
I believe that development is meaningful only when it is linked to knowledge, culture and human experience. Women’s empowerment is not limited to economic indicators; it is also related to their social status, cultural recognition and self-identity.
Finally, being nominated for the Women Empowerment Awards of Canada’s ‘Global Impact and Mentorship Award’ is not just my personal achievement; it is recognition of an idea—an idea that will redefine our future development thinking.
Author: Shahida Khanam, CEO and Founder, Women Cultural Empowerment International (WCEI)