Welcome to Diplomatic Spouses, Dhaka
Diplomatic Spouses, the very first attempt of such kind in Bangladesh, is formed with an intension to bring the spouses and family members of Head of Missions, Honorary Consuls, UN Officials and other Diplomats on to a platform, who often find themselves unoccupied and idle, whereas there are plenty of things for them to do to utilize their skills and experiences.
Ambassadors and High Commissioners representing difference counties are extremely honored in Bangladesh. This is a country where this genre of delegation is privileged as highly as a head of a county or a nation, not only as an envoy or a simple official representative. Their spouses are given the same honor as well. In fact, the female spouses of the Ambassadors are treated as the ‘First Lady’ of the country represented.
This exceptionally warm welcome comes from all steps of the people starting from the government officials to the rickshaw puller in the street as well. This is a unique treatment for a diplomat, and this is found only in Bangladesh.
At present, the capital city of Dhaka hosts around 48 resident embassies/high commissions, including the European Union delegation. Chittagong hosts two consulates and a dozen honorary consulates. There are also around 56 honorary consulates in Dhaka, and around 35 other countries have accredited missions to Bangladesh by being resident in neighboring countries.
The diplomats representing the countries or the international organizations normally stay in the country more or less three years. Most of the diplomats bring their spouses along with them and in some cases the minor children as well. Some carry a little idea about the country from the experience if previously traveled in the other countries in the Indian sub continent. But most of them do not have the slightest idea about the people, language, religious practices, lifestyle or culture.
After arriving, they find themselves landed in a whole new strange planet and it takes a long time to adopt them within the atmosphere.
The diplomats get busy with their work and soon they learn how to deal with their day to day matters officially. But it is their spouses who have to face the real dilemmas.
Diplomatic spouses often find themselves in boredom and passing moments get tough and dull for them at times. Some spouses take a job in the same or the other embassy and some keep on looking for some meaningful activities to be engaged in. I have spoken to many of the spouses who want to be involved in doing some voluntary works but unfortunately, any of such opportunities are hardly available for them.
While staying in Bangladesh, the spouses of the Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Head of Missions and the other diplomatic personnel do not find much things to do other than staying at home or passing time doing unnecessary shopping.
That is why most of the time; most of the spouses of the diplomats do not accompany their husbands and prefer to stay back in their own countries taking care of other things. But worrying about their spouses wellbeing here in Bangladesh remains as a big concern for them. Understandably, there are not many suitable ways in Bangladesh where you can fit yourself in satisfactorily. As a result, during a short stay in Bangladesh for 2-3 years or so, there are not many unforgettable memories that they can take back home.
I have personally noticed, while attending reception parties and different diplomatic gatherings, spouses of the diplomats often feel ‘out of place’ while their husbands or wives are busy socializing with other diplomats. In some parties, not all diplomats are invited other than the Chief of Mission and Spouse or perhaps the DCM from a particular embassy.
Now it’s time to let them have a platform of their own which will create a different identity for them all together. From now onwards, their existence will be noticed and their activities on noble issues will be recognized and accepted with thanks.