Ctg women's chamber calls for board dissolution and new election
The organisation accused past leadership of nepotism and neglecting the interests of small women entrepreneurs
Members of the Chattogram Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CWCCI) have demanded new elections and the dissolution of the current board of directors, citing undemocratic practices.
During a press conference at the Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists Union on Wednesday, the members urged the Ministry of Commerce and the Chattogram Deputy Commissioner to remove the board by 23 September.
Nusrat Hossain, a CWCCI member, read out a prepared statement during the press conference.
The statement said, the CWCCI has long operated in an autocratic and arbitrary manner, depriving grassroots women entrepreneurs of their voting rights. Leadership positions have reportedly been decided by two individuals behind closed doors, without input from the general membership. The protestors accused past leadership of nepotism and neglecting the interests of small women entrepreneurs.
They called for the formation of a new leadership team that prioritises the interests of Chattogram's women business owners and demanded free and fair elections. They also advocated for lowering membership fees, claiming that the current Tk 1,700 initial fee and Tk 1,900 annual renewal fee are prohibitive for small entrepreneurs. They further criticised the outsourcing of the Women's Trade Fair to third parties for financial gain, which they said has negatively affected the fair's environment.
The members emphasised the need for reforms to break the control of a select few within the CWCCI, urging the resignation of the current board, which they claim was elected without proper voting procedures. They also called for legal action against the current officers for alleged corruption.
CWCCI members Shahnaz Khan, Jannatul Mawa Munni, Amena Begum, Manowara Begum Saki, and entrepreneurs Sadia Afrin and Nargis Rikta were present at the press conference.