BSS
  21 Jan 2025, 15:54
Update : 21 Jan 2025, 16:27

Women are leading way in their progress

(From left) Marufa Akhtar, Sabina Khatun and Mosammat Sagarika. Collage Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Jan 21, 2025 (BSS) – Women’s power is no longer limited within the four walls. Society and the country are moving ahead with time, women are also moving forward. Bangladesh is now a glaring example of women’s empowerment as their remarkable presence is in all spheres of national life, including sports, science, research, discovery, politics, administration, foreign affairs and law enforcement.

Some inspiring women have shared their stories here:

Best Women’s Pacer Marufa Akhtar

This female pacer has been nominated for the ICC's 2023 Emerging Women's Cricketer of the Year. The 18-year-old Marufa, hailed from Nilphamari Sadar Upazila, demonstrated her talents in her first ICC event. Since then she continued to perform well for Bangladesh in various events.

Marufa, born to a poverty-stricken family in a remote village, is now not only changing her own family status but also thinking power of millions of girls in the country. She is the dreamer of a new day.

When asked about Marufa's future dream, she said, "My dream is now to lead the national team in bowling. This dream didn’t appear suddenly; I have been nurturing it since my childhood. I want to take Bangladesh to a new height".

Gausia, Senjuti Saha on the list of the best scientists

‘Asian Scientist’, a Singapore-based science and technology magazine, has been publishing the list of the top 100 scientists in Asia every year since 2016. Gausia Wahidunnesa Chowdhury and Senjuti Saha have made to the list in 2023.

Wahidunnesa, a professor of the Department of Zoology at Dhaka University, made research on plastic pollution and its harmful effects on nature and human life. Microbiologist Senjuti Saha works as the director of the non-profit organization ‘Child Health Research Foundation’.

Senjuti Saha, who has been included in the list, believes that this achievement will send a message to the world that Bangladesh and Bangladeshi women are moving forward in scientific practice, research and other fields.

Jannatul on BBC's list of 100 women

Jannatul Ferdous Ivy has been included in the BBC's list of 100 influential women in the world in 2023. The report on Ivy, who was included in the list, said that this young woman, who suffered 60 percent burns in a tragic fire accident, presented herself as a filmmaker, writer and human rights activist.

In 1997, 60 percent of her body was burned in a fire accident. After recovering from this tragic incident, she became a filmmaker, writer and human rights activist. Jannatul Ferdous Ivy said that she founded an organization "Voice and Views" in 2015. This human rights organization has been working on various issues at the policy-making level in addition to raising awareness of burned women.

About her future plan, Ivy said, "I know about the physical and mental condition of a burned person. The pain is more severe for women. From there, the journey of "Voice and Views" began. I want to expand the organization's activities further in the future.

Football stars Sagarika, Kalpana, Sabina, Tahurara

Mosammat Sagarika has won the best player award in the Under-19 Women's SAFF. She also won the top goal scorer award. Bangladesh defeated Nepal with her two goals in the first match of SAFF. Bangladesh won with her solitary goal against India.

Sagarika, hailed from Thakurgaon, said her father used to forbid her from playing football for fear of harsh words from society. She, however, braving all taboos of the conventional society, achieved her goal.

"The way we lead family, playing football seemed like a luxury. Moreover, I had a fear, what others would say if I played football! But now I understand, I was completely wrong", said Sagarika.

Bangladesh also did quite well in the Women's SAFF Championship last October. Tahura Khatun scored a hat-trick in the first semi-final. Captain Sabina Khatun scored two goals. Monica Chakma and Masura Parveen scored one goal each.

From city to village; women are now progressing at all levels. The daughters and sisters of Bengal are moving forward at their own pace, facing various challenges. The passengers of this progress, who follow the path shown by them, will move forward with indomitable courage and inspiration to the future of Bangladesh.