Shaheda Mustafiz: The Pioneer Who Paved the Way for Women in Bangladesh’s Tech Industry
Over four decades ago, the technology landscape in Bangladesh looked very different. The software industry was just beginning to take shape, with a small number of companies primarily focused on exporting software. These companies were dominated entirely by men—women were virtually absent from the scene. There were no computer science courses available in local universities, and opportunities for women in tech were nearly nonexistent. But that didn’t stop Shaheda Mustafiz.
Despite coming from an economics background, Shaheda took a bold step and enrolled in a year-long software architecture training program at NCR Corporation in the United States. Her journey began in 1976, when she took on the role of Systems Manager at NCR’s Bangladesh office. Following a corporate transition that saw Leeds Corporation take over NCR’s local operations, she continued her career there and became a key figure in introducing automation to Bangladesh’s banking sector. Through her efforts in designing early banking software systems, Shaheda became recognized as the country’s first female computer programmer.
Born in 1949, Shaheda Mustafiz is now 76 years old—and still going strong. She currently serves as an advisor for the software division of Right Solutions, a company established by her son, Ridwan Mustafiz. Her recent work includes developing automation tools for hospitals, many of which are already in use across various healthcare institutions in Bangladesh. “It’s fulfilling to return to hospital automation,” she shared in a recent interview.
After 22 years of service at NCR and Leeds, Shaheda made the leap into entrepreneurship in 1998, launching her own company, Probity Systems Ltd. The firm contributed significantly to Bangladesh’s software export growth. Over the years, she has held senior leadership roles at several international companies, including Canadian-based Twenty-Twenty Technologies and U.S.-based E-Techlogics. Outside of her corporate achievements, she has actively promoted tech education by running computer training programs aimed at children and women, inspiring a new generation of female technologists.
Looking back, she recalled the skepticism women faced in the 1970s tech world. “At one point, I hired a young woman for a technical role, and the male staff questioned her abilities. I told them I’d be the judge of her skills. Not long after, those same men came to me saying, ‘Madam, we should hire more women—they’re doing amazing work.’”
On the subject of women in today’s tech sector, she expressed both pride and concern. “It’s inspiring to see more women entering the field. But many still shoulder the double burden of career and family. Programming demands time and focus, and that can be challenging in our society. Still, the women who make it into programming are among the best.”
Often referred to as a modern-day Ada Lovelace, Shaheda played a pivotal role in creating the first banking software in Bangladesh—initially known as NCR Bank, later recognized as PC Bank. Her passion for technology and her relentless pursuit of innovation continue to shape the country’s digital landscape to this day.