Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan on Sunday, also Mother’s Day, brought together entrepreneur mothers, corporate leaders and professionals for “The Motherhood Movement,” a first-of-its-kind initiative co-organized with BRAC Bank Tara Banking that merged the worlds of motherhood and enterprise.

The daylong event, held in the hotel's 25th-floor ballroom, centered on the debut of Dhaka's first-ever Mothers' Market, where 30 women-led brands showcased handcrafted goods, artisanal food, fashion, jewelry, and home décor. Beyond the commercial, the market was also a casual stage for founders to share tales of resilience and ambition, a facet not always granted by conventional trade shows.

The leadership session of the event, with the theme “Passion, Power, and Possibility”, witnessed a panel of prominent voices, including Taslima Jaigirder, Executive Director – Human Resources, Petromax LPG, SHV Energy Bangladesh; Barrister Miti Sanzana, Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh, and Founding Partner, Legal Counsel; Anamika Bhakta, Senior Director, Technical Regulations and Communications, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Division, Robi Axiata PLC; and Tapati Bose, Head of Retail Deposits and Initiatives, Retail Banking Division, BRAC Bank.

The Inspiring Mothers Awards were held to honour women who have made remarkable contributions in various sectors. The awardees include Farzana Sheikh Shumi, Founder and Chairperson of Shumis Hot Cake Limited, Syma Shawkat, Vice President of the Bangladesh ICT Stakeholders Alliance, Farzana Rahman Benu of Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute and Hospital and Anjumana Shila. The Mothers’ Market also specially honored one standout entrepreneur.

At the event, General Manager Karthi VK and BRAC Bank Tara Head Mehruba Reza reiterated their commitment to build meaningful platforms to promote women leadership and economic participation.

The Motherhood Movement also aligns with IHG Hotels and Resorts’ “Journey to Tomorrow” pledge—a corporate commitment to create inclusive community-building and design experiences that drive positive social change. Sunday’s gathering was a promising start, and organizers said they are already thinking about a larger and broader one down the road.