Women’s Day is not just a date on the calendar—it’s a declaration, a defiance, and a dream in motion. For generations, women have carried the weight of society’s silence, transforming it into songs of strength and stories of survival. And at the heart of this transformation in Bangladesh stands the Association of Grassroots Women Entrepreneurs, Bangladesh (AGWEB)—a movement that breaks ceilings, not just glass ones, but those made of old habits, rigid mindsets, and economic exclusion.
The Spirit Behind AGWEB
AGWEB began as a voice for women who had no platform—women who worked from home, in markets, in small workshops, often unnoticed yet unbreakable. These were not CEOs or politicians, but everyday heroes—the kind who balance a ledger with one hand and a baby on the other. AGWEB’s mission was simple yet revolutionary: to make sure these women didn’t just survive, but succeeded. Through mentorship, training, and advocacy, AGWEB has turned cottage industries into companies and self-doubt into self-reliance.
From its inception, AGWEB has nurtured thousands of women who once stood at the margins of the economy. It helped them gain the courage to speak in rooms where they once stood silent, to lead ventures they once thought impossible. Its spirit reflects Bangladesh’s own story—a nation born from resilience, now empowering women to redefine independence.
Women’s Day: A Celebration of the Unseen Force
Every year, International Women’s Day becomes a canvas where AGWEB paints its brightest colors. The organization doesn’t see it as a corporate event—it’s a national awakening. From Dhaka’s heart to the villages of Rangpur, AGWEB orchestrates nationwide campaigns, trade fairs, policy dialogues, and entrepreneurship summits. The goal? To amplify the voices of rural and urban women who are transforming industries, from agriculture to technology.
AGWEB’s Women’s Day celebrations are not just about empowerment speeches—they’re about real change. Exhibitions feature products crafted by women-led enterprises. Policy roundtables push ministries to rethink gender budgeting and financial inclusion. Young women, standing in front of AGWEB’s booths, see role models who look like them—and realize that leadership doesn’t require permission, only purpose.
The celebrations extend beyond the stage. AGWEB collaborates with universities, NGOs, and corporate partners to create mentorship circles where young women receive career guidance and entrepreneurial insights. The events spotlight women from remote districts whose craftsmanship tells stories of culture, creativity, and courage.
From Grassroots to Government Corridors
AGWEB has built bridges between local women and national policymakers. Its presence in national events—be it SME fairs, industrial expos, or ministry collaborations—has ensured that women entrepreneurs are no longer a side story; they are central to the national narrative. AGWEB’s advocacy has influenced programs on access to finance, skill development, and export readiness for women-led SMEs.
When AGWEB’s representatives speak on national platforms, they speak not from theory but from trenches—their stories are of sweat and success, of fieldwork and financial literacy. The organization has helped shape strategies under Bangladesh’s National Industrial Policy 2022, SME Policy 2019, and several women entrepreneurship frameworks. It has become a trusted advisor to ministries, financial institutions, and donor agencies pushing inclusive economic policies.
National Events: AGWEB as a Change Catalyst
From National SME Week to Bangladesh Development Forum, AGWEB plays a catalytic role in showcasing the transformative power of women entrepreneurs. During these national events, AGWEB’s pavilions draw crowds—because they are not just stalls, they are stories. Each product, whether a handwoven saree, organic spice, or tech-driven innovation, carries the fingerprint of resilience.
AGWEB ensures these women are not only participants but policymakers. Its workshops train women to pitch to investors, write business proposals, and understand export regulations. Partnerships with entities like BIDA, UNDP, Swisscontact, and Roots of Impact further elevate the movement, connecting Bangladeshi women to the global entrepreneurship ecosystem.
AGWEB also champions the role of women in sustainability. Many of its members now lead eco-friendly enterprises—producing biodegradable packaging, herbal products, and solar-powered innovations. These contributions align Bangladesh’s women-led industries with global sustainability goals.
Beyond Celebrations: Legacy in Motion
Women’s Day is one day. But AGWEB’s mission breathes through all 365. Through continuous training programs, awareness campaigns, and financial literacy initiatives, AGWEB builds not just entrepreneurs but ecosystems. The ripple effects are tangible—rural employment rises, families gain stability, and communities evolve from dependence to dynamism.
AGWEB’s “Women in Action” initiative connects rural women producers to urban retail networks. Its digital literacy programs equip entrepreneurs to market their products online, expanding their businesses beyond borders. The organization’s leadership development workshops nurture future policymakers, economists, and corporate leaders who understand the value of equity as deeply as they value profit.
AGWEB also promotes intergenerational learning—encouraging young daughters of entrepreneurs to continue their mothers’ legacies. This not only preserves family businesses but also strengthens social mobility, creating generational wealth through women’s leadership.
Standing Tall Amid Challenges
Yet, let’s not pretend the road is smooth. The challenges are many—limited access to finance, cultural barriers, digital divides, and the persistent undervaluing of women’s labor. AGWEB meets these head-on, lobbying for microcredit reform, encouraging local banks to reduce collateral requirements, and creating women-led cooperatives to build collective strength.
When disaster strikes, AGWEB turns crisis into courage. During the pandemic, it mobilized women-led networks to produce PPEs, sanitizers, and food aid. When inflation hit, AGWEB supported cost optimization and local sourcing workshops, helping women-owned businesses stay afloat. It’s not just an organization—it’s an economic lifeline.
It continues to advocate for digital inclusion—launching online marketplaces and mobile apps that allow women to sell directly to consumers. Through advocacy with telecom operators and ICT ministries, AGWEB is narrowing the digital gender gap in entrepreneurship.
The Poetic Side of Progress
There’s something lyrical in AGWEB’s journey—like a symphony where each note is a woman’s heartbeat echoing across generations. They are the farmers who turned their land into gold. The weavers whose looms sing songs of freedom. The coders who type out a digital future. Together, they form the rhythm of a nation rising from the grassroots.
On Women’s Day, AGWEB’s banners may fade, but its message doesn’t. It whispers through every village and city: “Empower a woman, and you empower a generation.”
Looking Forward: The Road Ahead
AGWEB envisions a Bangladesh where gender equality is not a slogan but a standard. It plans to expand its footprint into regional hubs, launch export accelerators for women-led startups, and develop digital marketplaces showcasing Bangladeshi products globally. Its long-term vision includes collaboration with international women’s chambers, creating a “Global Grassroots Network” for trade, innovation, and social enterprise.
The next phase is bold: blending tradition with technology. AGWEB seeks to digitalize rural production chains, introduce eco-certifications for sustainable products, and push for women’s representation in policymaking councils. Because the goal is not just participation—it’s power.
It also aims to establish AGWEB Learning & Leadership Centers in key districts, combining entrepreneurship training, product design labs, and export consultancy under one roof—a one-stop platform for aspiring women leaders.
A Closing Reflection
AGWEB’s story is not written in glossy reports but in the ink of perseverance. It’s in the hands of a woman counting her day’s earnings, in the smile of a young girl watching her mother speak on a stage, in the pride of a community that now believes—yes, she can.
So when Women’s Day arrives, remember: AGWEB doesn’t just celebrate women. It celebrates the courage to break barriers, the wisdom to build bridges, and the vision to shape a nation’s destiny.
That’s not just empowerment. That’s evolution.

Association of Grassroots Women Entrepreneurs, Bangladesh (AGWEB)
Email: info@agweb.org.bd | Website: www.agweb.org.bd
Facebook: www.facebook.com/agweb.org.bd | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/agweb