Once the eastern wing of Pakistan, Bangladesh has come a long way, since its independence, to become a middle power and a major developing nation of the world. And just like the country, the status of women in Bangladesh has improved remarkably. Once given a minority status, Bangladeshi women and their prominence and role play in the society have increased commendably. Today, Bangladeshi women are better educated, have improved job prospects and increased rights. They have witnessed political empowerment and brought an end to the practice of gender inequality. This can be proved from the fact that as of 2013 the most coveted offices in government of Bangladesh including Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the Speaker of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition and the Foreign minister of the country are being held by women.
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Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangladesh's first president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is the current prime minister of Bangladesh. The Awami League leader was also named to Forbes’s list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women and TIME 100, both in 2018, and is part of the Council of Women World Leaders.
Khaleda Zia is a Bangladeshi politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on two occasions; from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006. An influential politician, Zia has been serving as the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party since 1984. From 1977 to 1981, she served as the First Lady of Bangladesh.
Starting her career with Humayun Ahmed’s Amar Ache Jol, Bidya Sinha Saha Mim later won the Bangladesh National Film Award for her performance in Jonakir Alo. She also worked in Tollywood with Indian filmmaker Raja Chanda. She also won the reality show Lux Channel I Superstar in 2007.
Bangladeshi model and actor Mehazabien Chowdhury soared to fame after winning the reality show Lux Channel I Superstar. She is best known for her role in the series Boro Chele and has won several awards, such as the Meril Prothom Alo Awards. The Chittagong-born actor also has a fashion diploma.
Popular Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila began her career as a Pakistani film singer. She later released some of the biggest hits of the Bengali and Hindi music scene, such as Shaadher Lau. The Bangladesh National Film Award winner is also a Guinness record holder for recording 30 songs in 3 days.
Bangladeshi National Film Award-winning actor Nusrat Imrose Tisha initially gained fame as a TV actor, with roles in series such as Otopor Nurul Nuda, and then starred in films such as Television and Doob. She has also modeled for brands such as Meril Lip Gel, Parachute, and Coca-Cola.
Shabnur is a Bangladeshi actress best known for her portrayal of Sejuti in the 2005 romantic drama film Dui Noyoner Alo, which earned her the prestigious Bangladesh National Film Award under the Best Actress category. A critically acclaimed actress, Shabnur has also received the Meril Prothom Alo Award on a record 10 occasions.
Taslima Nasrin is a Bangladeshi-Swedish writer, feminist, physician, activist, and secular humanist. An internationally recognized author, Nasrin is renowned for expressing feminist views and her criticisms of religions. Taslima Nasrin is a recipient of many prestigious awards such as the Sakharov Prize, Freethought Heroine Award, and Erwin Fischer Award.
Popular Bangladeshi actor Joya Ahsan soared to fame with Bangladeshi films such as Chorabali and Debi. She has also appeared in several Indian Bengali films, such as Aborto, Bishorjan, and Rajkahini. Her performances have also earned her awards such as the Zee Cine Award and the Bangladesh National Film Award.
Popular Bangladeshi actor Pori Moni was raised by her maternal grandparents after being orphaned in childhood. She made headlines when the Rapid Action Battalion raided her house and arrested her for possessing illegal drugs and foreign liquor. She was released on bail after spending 27 days behind the bars.
Bangladeshi actor Mahiya Mahi, also known as the Princess of Dhallywood, soared to fame with her hit movies such as Agnee and Bhalobasha Aaj Kal. In 2015, her friend Shahriar Islam Saon uploaded a photo on Facebook, stating he was married to her, though she denied the allegations.
Sabila Nur began her career as a model for the leading Bangladeshi telecom company Grameenphone. She later soared to fame as The Imaginary Girl in the telefilm Monkey Bizness. In 2017, she was the most-searched Bangladeshi celebrity on Google. She has also hosted programs such as Lux Style File.
One of the most popular Bangladeshi actresses and models, Apu Biswas began her career with a side role in 2005, bagging a star role in the very next year with Koti Takar Kabin. Since then she has been appearing in lead roles in numerous films including My Name Is Khan and Devdas, receiving multiple awards and nomination for her acting.
Sahana Bajpaie is an Indian singer and songwriter best known as an exponent of Rabindra Sangeet, songs written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore. Apart from contributing as a playback singer in the Indian Bengali film industry, Sahana Bajpaie has also released several successful studio albums.
Bangladeshi actor Rafiath Rashid Mithila was an academically brilliant student and also a talented dancer in her younger days. She had once exhibited her oil paintings and has penned children’s books, too. She has been associated with BRAC and is married to Indian filmmaker Srijit Mukherji.
Shabana is a Bangladeshi retired film actress who received ten Bangladesh National Film Awards during her 30-year-long career. Her contribution to the Bangladeshi Film Industry was honored by the Prime Minister with a Lifetime Achievement Award in July 2017.
A member of eleventh Jatiya Sangsad representing Bangladesh National Party, Rumeen Farhana earned her degree in Law from University of London and obtained her Bar-at-Law from Lincoln's Inn, United Kingdom, before returning home to join the Dhaka High Court. Born to veteran Bangladeshi politician and language activist, she soon joined politics, publishing her first book, Amader Rojnamcha, in 2018. .
Ekushey Padak-winning Bangladeshi actor Suborna Mustafa is best known for her roles in films such as Notun Bou and Durotto. She is also known for her hit series Kothao Keu Nei, and has been a cricket commentator and a Censor Board member. She is now a Bangladesh Awami League MP.
Bangladeshi politician Dipu Moni initially became a doctor and later also obtained her master of laws. She also scripted history by becoming the first woman foreign minister in South Asia. She is the current minister of education of Bangladesh and has been a lawyer of the Bangladesh Supreme Court.
Bangladeshi actor Dilara Hanif Rita, also known as Purnima, is known for her award-winning roles in films such as Ora Amake Bhalo Hote Dilo Na and Hridoyer Kotha. The Bangladesh National Film Award winner was also appreciated for her role in Shuva, a film based on one of Rabindranath Tagore’s short stories.
The daughter of a singer mother, Sabina Yasmin started her music career as a child artiste, appearing in her first stage performance at age 7. She is a 14-time Bangladesh National Film Award-winning playback singer has also won an Ekushey Padak. She was previously married to Indian singer Kabir Sumon.
Three times Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actress winner, Moushumi aka Arifa Pervin Zaman is also successful television personality and a well-known film director. Beginning her career with television commercial, she debuted in films with a star role in Keyamat Theke Keyamat, eventually acting in more than 150 films. She made her debut as director with Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti.
Bangladeshi actor Nusraat Faria initially wished to be an army officer but later began her career as a model. A University of London law graduate, she later soared to fame with films such as Aashiqui and Badsha - The Don. She has also won honors such as the Meril Prothom Alo Awards.
Anika Kabir Shokh is a Bangladeshi model, dancer, and actress. She achieved national prominence when she was chosen as the brand ambassador of a telecommunication service provider called Banglalink. Anika Kabir Shokh is also famous for appearing in many popular Bengali television dramas such as Friends n Family (FNF), Diba Ratri Khola Thake, and Fifty 50.
Bangladeshi TV actor and model Sadia Jahan Prova is known for films such as Porer Meye and Sikandar Box. In 2010, she made headlines when a sex tape featuring her and her ex-boyfriend was leaked on the internet. Though her career was significantly damaged by the issue, she returned to TV soon after.
Shomi Kaiser is a Bangladeshi actress who has worked in critically acclaimed films like Hason Raja and Lalon. In addition to being an actress, Shomi Kaiser is also a producer and owns a company called Dhansiri Production. She also serves as the managing director of the event management and advertising company, Dhansiri Communications Ltd., a subsidiary of Dhansiri Production.
Known simply as Diti, Parveen Sultana Diti was a Bangladeshi film and television actress, who had more than two hundred works to her credit. Also a good singer, she appeared in various programs for Bangladesh television before debuting in acting with the television drama, Laili Majnu. A famed silber-screen idol, her untimely death from cancer was mourned by the entire nation.
Prarthana Fardin Dighi is a Bangladeshi model and film actress. She is best known for her contrbution as a child artist in films like Kabuliwala, Ek Takar Bou, and Chachchu Amar Chachchu. Prarthana Fardin Dighi received three Bangladesh National Film Awards under the Best Child Artist category between 2006 and 2010.
Aupee Karim is a Bangladeshi actress, dancer, model, and architect. She is best known for playing Sathi in the 2004 comedy drama film Bachelor, which earned her the prestigious Bangladesh National Film Award under the Best Actress category. Aupee Karim has also won the Meril Prothom Alo Award on three occasions.
Meher Afroz Shaon is a Bangladeshi actress, playback singer, and director. She is best known for winning the Bangladesh National Film Award under the Best Female Playback Singer category for her work in the 2016 romance drama film Krishnopokkho. Meher Afroz Shaon is also known for her collaboration and marriage with popular filmmaker and novelist Humayun Ahmed.
Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury created history when she became the first woman Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad, or the Bangladesh Parliament. A qualified lawyer, she later obtained a PhD in human rights, too. The Bangladesh Awami League member has also served as an advocate of the Bangladesh Supreme Court.
Rubana Huq is a Bangladeshi poet, university academic, and businesswoman. She was included in BBC's 100 Women list in 2013 and 2014. In 2014, she was also honored by The Daily Star with the Bangladesh Business Award under the Outstanding Business Women of The Year category. Rubana Huq is currently serving as the Asian University for Women's Vice-chancellor.
Momtaz Begum is a Bangladeshi politician and folk singer. Nicknamed The Music Queen, Begum has recorded over 700 albums and has won the prestigious Bangladesh National Film Award under the Best Female Playback Singer category on three occasions. Momtaz Begum is also a noted philanthropist; she has established the Momtaz Eye Hospital in Joymontop in memory of her father.
Puja Cherry Roy started her career in the Bangladeshi film industry as a child actor, with the movie Bhalobasar Rong. She later soared to fame with movies such as PoraMon 2, Dahan, and Shaan. She has also won honors such as the Meril Prothom Alo Award.
Bangladeshi model and actor Safa Kabir had initially started her career as an RJ. She has modeled for various brands, such as Airtel Bangladesh and Parachute Coconut Oil. Known for movies such as Password and Turu Love, she has also hosted the ABC Radio program Love Struck By Safa Kabir.
Khulna-born actor Peya Bipasha first gained fame as a participant on the beauty reality show Lux Channel I Superstar and then became a sensation with a Grameen Phone commercial. Though she initially wished to be an army officer, she became a successful TV star instead, with shows such as Osamapto Vhalobasha.
Bangladeshi politician and Bangladesh Jatiya Party member Rowshan Ershad is the current leader of the opposition of Bangladesh. The wife of former president of Bangladesh, Hussain Mohammad Ershad, she also founded the Sena Paribar Kalliyan Samity and has been active in causes related to women’s and children’s welfare.
Bangladeshi playback singer Akhi Alamgir had interestingly started her career as a child actor. She also won a Bangladesh National Film Award for her role in Bhat De. Being the daughter of an actor father, she was acquainted with the entertainment world. She later also gained fame as a TV host.
Sadika Parvin Popy is a Bangladeshi film actress best known for winning the prestigious Bangladesh National Film Award under the Best Actress category on three occasions. She has won the awards for her performance in the films, Karagar, Megher Koley Roud, and Gongajatra.
Farida Akhtar Babita is a Bangladeshi actress best known for her portrayal of Angana in Satyajit Ray's 1973 film Distant Thunder, which won the prestigious Golden Bear prize in Berlin in 1973. Babita achieved immense popularity during the 1970s and has won several Bangladesh National Film Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
Jannatul Ferdoush Peya is a Bangladeshi model, lawyer, and actress. She achieved national recognition in 2007 when she was crowned Miss Bangladesh. In 2017, she achieved international recognition when she became the first Bangladeshi to be named the brand ambassador of a famous American brand called TRESemmé. In 2019, she worked as a presenter in the ICC World Cup.
