Women in Leadership (WIL) has arranged for the first time a three-day-long fest to mark the International Women’s Day at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka.

Presented by Freedom Sanitary Napkin and organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum, the first ever WIL FEST began on March 8 and will end today.

The three-day program themed “Owning & Visibility” will be divided into several sections including Women Leadership Summit, Inspiring Women Award, Freedom of Choice Exhibition, Startup Talk, according to a WIL press release.

An exhibition titled ‘Freedom of Choice Exhibition’ was held as part of the WIL fest, presenting stories of women through visual arts, photographs, sculptures, and clothes worn by women. Curated by visual artist Nazia Andaleeb Preema, this unique exhibition grabbed attention of people from all walks of life.

An exhibition titled ‘Freedom of Choice Exhibition’ was held as part of the WIL fest, presenting stories of women through visual arts, photographs, sculptures, and clothes worn by women. Photo: Courtesy

The fest also brought together a number of globally known speakers, such as Nazneen Karmali, Indian editor of Forbes Media, Beth Macdonald, director of Future Considerations of Philippines, and Prof Nirmala Rao, vice chancelor of Asian University of Women.

More than 60 professionals from different multinational and local companies shared their expertise through various discussions. The fest also includes three extensive training sessions by Lighthouse Bangladesh, BOLD, and Grow N Excel. On the first two days, more than 11 startup ventures conducted startup discussions, sharing their hard-learned experience with the women who aspire to be entrepreneurs.

Musical performances, art exhibition and other engagements are also taking place in the fest.