On 8 March, the world celebrates International Women’s Day to champion the advancement of women’s rights and gender equality.  While International Women’s Day addresses women’s issues in general, Apasen observed this day by organising an event to create an opportunity for Apasen members of staff, particularly women to address the gender equality and mutual respect within the organisation. Broadly, the event was to recognise the enormous contribution being made by working women despite their longstanding challenges in the society.

Nahida Akhter from Training department says, ‘I really like the way Apasen celebrates this special day. We now feel part of a whole.’ This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”.

On 15 February, Apasen International organises an event in Sylhet, Bangladesh titled ‘Meet the Community’ to pre-launch the Special School and Day Care project.  The event was chaired by Apasen International Chief Executive Mahmud Hasan MBE along with Mr Stewart Harris, Head Teacher of Phoenix School and Deputy Head Ms Veronica Armson. The key objectives of the event were to brief the members of the community about recent progress made on implementing the Apasen-Phoenix special school and Apasen International Day Care centre. Mahmud Hasan says,

‘… the purpose of the event is to exchange views with cross section of people in order to ensure community engagement’.

The speakers attended the event acknowledged the necessity of specialised education and effective services to those in need. They also appreciated Apasen International’s effort to develop policies and comprehensive strategies for improving their quality of life. The City Mayor Ariful Haque Choudhury joined the event as one of the special guests along with Professor Golam Rabbani, Chairman NDD Trust, Kamrul Ahsan, DIG of Police, Mahmudur Rahman, commandant, Police Force, Professor Mosaddak Chowdhury, Trustee Apasen International.