I have been asked to write about how the British Women’s Association came into being. To do this I tapped into our longest serving member’s memory and so must thank Joan Kabiruddin for the following:

The Association was originally known as UKAB Ladies Group for British women and wives of British nationals. It held two fund raising events every year, namely an Easter Fair and a Christmas Bazaar, which were held in a member’s garden suitably large to set up tables and stalls. The funds were deposited in the UKAB account and spent as decided by the predominantly male UKAB Committee!!!

The UKAB (United Kingdom Association Bangladesh) was set up in 1978. It had been known as United Kingdom Association Pakistan but in 1971 during the Bangladesh liberation war it became inactive since many members had left, and remained so until 1978. Because of the resentment felt by the Ladies Group at the UKAB Committee’s arbitrary decisions on spending the funds raised by the Ladies Group, they broke away in 1981. Although our objective was mainly for the welfare and entertainment of our members, because one of our activities was to raise funds for local charities, it was decided to register the Group with the Social Welfare Department, which was done in 1983 when Joan was chairman. Her address was given as our official address, which the committee thought expedient since she lived here permanently. At our 1984 AGM we decided to change our name to the British Women’s Association, and again registered in that name.

From the mid eighties we have been holding the Christmas Bazaar with the Dhaka American Women’s Club, which means it is now on a much larger scale and we are able to raise more funds. We have also had other events such as a St George’s Day Ball, Monsoon Ball and in 2002, in conjunction with the Caledonian Society, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Ball.

Over the years we have grown as we opened membership to women from other countries, who join us as Associate Members. For our entertainment, information and enlightenment we have a variety of programmes over the year at our monthly meetings AND outings to places of interest. Our membership being transitory means the BWA is never boring as we are infused with new ways of thinking and doing things. At the same time, maintaining certain traditions such as raising funds for charities to help the poor of Bangladesh.

March activities:

5 March – 4 pm Monthly meeting at the home of Laura Stevenson, House 40/4 – 3, North Avenue, Gulshan. Presentation and video, by Merema Reuter on the Street Children.

30 March – 9.30-4.30 at the BAGHA Club – The Annual Street Children’s Party.