The Powerful Bangladeshi: Kathita Rahman

The Braveheart, Program Officer of the United Nations, Kathita Rahman is a great inspiration for many young women today. Apart from just enjoying the job and social stature, this young woman has devoted herself to reconstruct the world by raising her voice to ensure the rights of women and children. She has also been a popular face amid the USA and Bangladesh.

We reached out to this spanking person to know a little about her, some of which we have shared in the following:

The InCAP: We are delighted to have someone who meets exemplary success in her life. Ms. Kathita, you have an exceptional career journey, which is also geographically quite elaborate. We are attentive to know the synopsis of your entire career journey.

Kathita Rahman: When I first heard I had scored an interview with The InCAP, I was thrilled. There were so many different points I wanted to touch on — my previous roles, my skills, my accomplishments, my work style.

I want to point out why I have chosen this career path. From my childhood years spent scribbling down three-paragraph fairy tales in my blanket fort to an intensive but incredibly gratifying creative writing program in college for children, I’ve always been a heart to work for disadvanced people. So when it came time to look for a job, there was no doubt in my mind that the United Nations played a key role in my dreamed job hunting journey.

In the beginning, I was a Government employee under the Government of Bangladesh. But while my elder son born in 2000; I was in real crisis to keep the child (after three months of maternity leave) and stay away at my duty station. The senior management at district level was not considerable and understanding of that situation though Government has clear instructions to liberal policy for women officials. I have struggled for one year and then decided to quit the service. I stayed with my son until he got three years old and then backed to my work journey.

This time I started working with UNDP at Capacity Building for Gender Mainstreaming Project. This job was a turning point for me; I met so many national and international personality and professional person that boost me forward to aim my target for life. After two years of service, I moved to UNICEF Bangladesh Country Office. I served nine years at the national level and as at Divisional level. In 2015; I have decided to move to the USA and was looking for an opportunity at UNICEF-HQ. It was a tedious and long-struggling story, but I could nail it out. I got to work for UNICEF-HQ in May 2015 and started loving the city, and meanwhile, my child also got to adjust with the new environment and culture.

The InCAP: What UNICEF – Experience do you want to write in your biography?

Working with UNICEF in the Country Office level and Head Quarter is always exciting, fun, and challenging. UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

While I started working UNICEF; I was looking for challenges as well as needed flexible work; to look after my two children and be a part of the workforce. UNICEF culture has permitted me to concentrate on both my professional and personal growth. Furthermore; while I started with the United Nations; I found the satisfaction of accomplishing my job while I found each of our contributions is supporting at least one child on this earth. It’s such a sacred feeling to me.

From my experience; while I worked at a remote community level, I profoundly served with people who are deprived of basic services and unaware of their basic benefits. Especially I got the opportunity to work at the coastal belt of Bangladesh and the area blown by cyclone during 2007 and 2010. The people were deviated and helpless, and children were suffering due to the long term impact of the disaster. As I was representing UNICEF Bangladesh for the local government; I had plenty of communication with senior divisional management to roll out the plan and coordinated with community-based organizations,  women, the caregivers, and school teachers who play a vital role to disseminated the knowledge of basic services that each and every child should receive.

Not one actually, I want to write all these things because they are correlated.

The InCAP: You’ve already hinted at, but very specifically, there must have been some trigger for this consistency in success! Right?

Indeed; I used to see my mother who worked for Ministry of Social Welfare under the Government of Bangladesh, and she had to quit her job because of rearing us; we are two sisters and had one brother; whom we just lost due to sudden cardiac arrest. I used to hear my mother’s life journey and always very keen to fill her dream. My sister got married at the age of 16 due to social pressure as we have the stigma that if parents are not giving their daughter early marriage; then people criticize the parents and I know from my work experience in rural Bangladesh; the same situation still exists. I saw the social negativity regarding women’s growth, and I saw the taboo, the boundary for women at every step of life, the decision making power and even the decision for themselves is controlled by society. Those factors were affecting me, and I wanted to revolt.  I started working to fulfill my dream, my passion for work, and nurturing my strength.

The InCAP: How do you keep your team members keen and motivated?

People are love point, and I love to be surrounded by people. Communication with people even though with very few interactions can help to know them and help to know the culture. Additionally, while I speak with people crossing the box and get them involved; then others also get charged and contribute more. A sense of responsibility, to treat people irrespective of race and religion also allows getting access with a group and team. I try to encourage people with the positivity and also earn energy from their smile and a sense of satisfaction.

The InCAP: What is Your Greatest Accomplishment till today?

My children and their accomplishments and objectives for life is a source of my day to day smile. The love and affection of people all around my professional entity and social life always inspire me. I believe it’s the biggest gift of nature to me.

The InCAP: We want to know your specific action about women empowerment.

Honestly, I appreciate the women for their role in their family, in their work life and also the battles they are playing at every moment to fit them into the struggle to stand straight. I’m working for enlarging the job opportunity for women.

The InCAP: You are an idol to the youth. Many people follow you as an icon of leadership. Say something to them.

Move forward and conquer the world; nothing more. I should say not to stop at any point while it’s hindering the growth. Smile and move.

The InCAP: Your childhood, adolescence, and relatively a large part of educational and professional life had been elapsed in Bangladesh. What’s your plan for your motherland Bangladesh?

I want to do counseling without any potential banner and without reward and remuneration. I want to speak for the people, and I feel that awareness can be a great key to move ahead. From the core of my heart, I want to work for Bangladesh.