22.02.2012, Jeddah, KSA – The Islamic Development Bank announced two women from Bangladesh and Iran and a women-led NGO from Sudan as the winners of the 2012 IDB Prize for Women’s Contribution to Development.
According to the selection committee the individual category Prize and cash award of US$ 50,000 is to be equally shared by Mrs. Selima Ahmad, founder and President of the “Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry” in Bangladesh, and Mrs. Seyedeh Fatimah Moghimi, founder and Managing Director of “Sadidbar”, an international shipping transportation company in Iran.
Mrs. Selima Ahmad won the Prize for her leadership quality and outstanding ability to utilize financial networks to help women engage in business activities. She has helped to promote the development of 7,000 women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.
Mrs. Seyedah Moghimi won the Prize for pioneering women entrepreneurial activities in the transport sector and supporting the national, as well as, regional economic development of Iran and neighboring countries.
In the organizations’ category, “Zenab for Women’s Development in Sudan” won the Prize and will receive the cash award of US$100,000. The organization, founded and led by women, has helped empower women farmers in Sudan to engage in better agriculture practices and gain access to financial resources, thereby elevating their socio-economic status improving their livelihood and that of their families.
Marking the seventh edition of the prize, IDB Group President, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, asserted that the Prize is meant to encourage women to contribute to the social and economic development of their societies, thus combating poverty. Since its inception in 2006, the Prize has been awarded to 22 winners spanning over 17 countries.
This year’s winners will be awarded the Prize during the 37th Annual Meeting of the IDB Board of Governors to be held in Khartoum, Sudan (3-4 April 2012).