We used to take the same UNICEF pick up microbus to office from 1992-1994. I was a young consultant, Jowshan apa was a senior advisor for gender and policy in UNICEF- Dhaka. She usually kept me waiting in the vehicle––5-6 minutes and apologized with a smile, always. I didn’t mind, really. After her we picked up 2 more colleagues on the way. She used to wear her diamond studs once inside the vehicle. Each day she wore a beautiful sharee. I loved her choice of colors, and patterns on the borders of her sharee.
We revered her––knew she had our back. Younger women in the office felt her support though there was a generational gap with her.
In 1996, she called me around midnight. I had just resigned from the Meena Project due to differences with UNICEF management and joined Brac. Apa informed me that NYHQ-HR was looking for me as I was selected for an international post in ESARO-Nairobi. She was the first to congratulate me and kept the news to herself till I had accepted the post.
Dr Yunus paid a beautiful tribute to apa: they had met in college and worked as co-editors of the college magazine, “Onnesha.” Years later, when he started Grameen Bank, Jowshan apa provided guidance on the women development programs of Grameen. She was instrumental in establishing collaboration between UNICEF and Grameen Bank.
She directly contributed in the designing, and implementation of Grameen’s training programs on women leadership, entrepreneurship, maternal health and child care. She assisted in Grameen’s strategy to implement water handpumps at household levels. Grameen became the first agency to designate women as handpump caretakers.
Jowshan apa joined UNICEF in 1979. Prior to that she was the Assistant Director of Bangladesh Social Welfare Directorate (1960). She was an ardent advocate for women’s rights and ensured women’s visibility in policy documents of UNICEF and other UN sister agencies.
She married Mr. Mahbubul Alam Chowdhury in 1952. They had a daughter. He passed away in 2007.
Jowshan Ara apa will always be remembered for her work and dedication to women and children.
(Special thanks to Mahboob Shareef bhai for assisting with missing information––Nuzhat)
Thanks, Nuzhat, for the tribute to Jowshan , a wonderful, peaceful soul in my memory too. She was quietly effective.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Neill.
ReplyDeleteIt felt strange to write this brief to announce her death. All those years ago when she and I took the same pick up car to Unicef-Dhaka did I in my wildest dreams ever think that I would be writing about her passing away?! My heart is so saddened. Rest in Power, Jowshan apa!
Sorry to hear of Jowshan's passing. She was not only a role model for many of the (younger) women in our office, but also a highly respected and wise counselor to UNICEF representatives, on just about any topic. That UNICEF had the privilege to support Dr. Yunus' Grameen Bank project was entirely due to Jowshan's excellent relationship with him and her subtle diplomacy. Jowshan's contribution to the wellbeing of Bangladeshi women and children was outstanding and her voice and smile will be missed. RIP.
ReplyDeleteSad news and Jowshan appa will be missed. A warm, sensitive sister and dedicated to women’s and girls rights , she was key player in our South Asia UNICEF network supporting SAARC- we met several times and I recollect how we were both in the meeting with Hanna Barbera one rainy afternoon in Chittagong .which resulted in Meena. I would smuggle India Today and other magazines by pouch for her husband’s reading. I have fond memories of visits to her home and our shopping for Dhakai sarees. Rest in peace .
DeleteMay she rest in peace!
ReplyDelete