Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ Bank Asia has introduced the first women-only ATM booth in Bangladesh in Sonakanda in Keraniganj, Dhaka, in an effort to increase women’s access to digital transactions, thereby enhancing their financial management. According to the press release, Adil Chowdhury, president and managing director (current charge) of the bank, opened the ATM booth at the Bank Asia DPO Agent Outlet in Sonakanda.
“We are committed to bringing more unbanked people into the banking network to help achieve sustainable economic development through boosting financial inclusion across the country,” Chowdhury said. He further noted that Bank Asia has worked tirelessly to deliver services to all sections of society, including rural communities and marginalized individuals residing in Bangladesh’s most remote regions. Chowdhury expressed confidence that the new ATM booth for women will play a crucial role in encouraging women to do digital banking activities.
Following the event, the president and managing director opened a Women’s Corner at the Sonakanda Agent Outlet. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was represented by Mohammad Ziaul Hasan Molla, deputy managing director of Bank Asia; Jason Lamb, deputy director; and Snigdha Ali, senior programme officer. According to Jason Lamb, “The Women’s ATM is a first of its kind initiative in Bangladesh as well as the world probably. I never saw it before”. With the presence of a large number of female customers and locals, the program took on a joyful tone.
Bank Asia, with the assistance of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, established the Women’s ATM to boost financial inclusion operations by enhancing women’s empowerment in Bangladesh through a grant-based digital financial inclusion initiative lasting two years. To attract women customers, three additional women-only ATMs began operating at Begum Badrunnessa Government Girls’ College, Kodomtola, and Paris Road City Digital Center Agent Outlets in Dhaka. In addition, six more women-only ATMs will be installed around the country as part of the scheme.
