Passion, dedication, and persistence—Bangladesh's rising female stars embody it all. Breaking barriers and redefining the norms, they prove that women's empowerment is far beyond the ordinary.

But, the scenario of the rise of Bangladeshi women hasn’t been like this from the beginning. Due to social, cultural, historical, and economic obstruction, women were only limited to the house's walls. Thanks to the outgrowing open mindset, people are now welcoming women and helping them live their freedom.

Let’s delve into how this year has been a remarkable journey of unstoppable success for Bangladesh's extraordinary women.

Historical Context Of Women In Bangladesh

The success of women you can see today in Bangladesh wasn't easy. It didn't grow overnight. In the past, especially before independence, women faced many challenges. There was a very shadowy mindset in society that women should stay at home, cook, clean, and look after their families. Talking about careers or even asking for their desired things was nearly a crime to society.

During the British colonial period, things did not change much for women. They were still treated differently from men. However, some women started to speak out for their rights. After Bangladesh became independent, women began to have more rights. The government made laws to protect women's rights.

Violence and discrimination were still a part of it. Besides, women were also not allowed to inherit property or make decisions for themselves to some extent. Today, challenges are still there; however, they are at a more minor scale, and the rise is ongoing.

Inspiring Stories That Talk About The Rise Of Women In Bangladesh

We present you the seven best success stories of women among hundreds today.

First Female Bangladeshi Triathlete - DMariya Ferdousi Akter

Before getting into Mariya’s story, let me give you an idea of the Triathlon. A Triathlon consists of three sports: cycling, swimming, and running. DMariya Ferdousi Akter is the first Bangladeshi Triathlete to participate in the Ironman 70.3 race and secured the second position.

The race is a very prestigious one held in Malaysia. It includes a 1.2-mile ocean swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run. Our Bangladeshi girl from Pirganj upazila, Rangpur, overcame the challenges and succeeded despite coming from a conservative family.

First Bangladeshi Female Bowler To Take 100 Wickets In The T20 Format - Nahida Akter

Nahida Akter is a talented left-arm Bangladeshi spinner who has made her name remarkable in Cricket. Nahida's passion for cricket was evident from a young age. She was inspired by the success of the Bangladesh men's cricket team and dreamed of representing her country.

She recently took 100 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals and was awarded the ICC Women's Player of the Month last November. The match was held in Sharjah Stadium in Dubai, UAE.

First Bangladeshi Women To Trek Till Everest Base Camp At The Age Of 55 - Fawzia Tawheed

Can you imagine trekking to Everest base camp as a woman in your 50s? Well, Fawzia Tawheed, a 55-year-old woman, made it happen. She is the first Bangladeshi woman to trek to Everest at this age.

The journey wasn't smooth for her, but she overcame all the challenges with her unwavering determination, physical endurance, and brave spirit.

Bangladeshi Women Wins The World’s Largest  Student Architecture Competition - Saraf Nawar

A female student from MIST made the nation proud on the global architecture stage. She is Saraf Nawer, a creative youth with a mindset to bring sustainable development. She won the 9th annual Inspireli Award for her undergraduate thesis project, "Tale of an Ocean: Oceantarium Complex of Sonadia.”

Her project proposed a unique concept that balanced environmental conservation with economic growth. The jury was impressed, and she received what she deserved for her talent and dedication.

Bangladeshi Women Wins Bronze For The Country At Silesian Open In Poland - Zinnat Ferdous

Let's talk about the girl that makes you feel strong and proud. Zinnat Ferdous, a US-based Bangladeshi Boxer, won a Bronze at the XIX International Silesian Women’s Boxing Championships.

It was a six-day championship from September 2nd to September 7th. She participated in and competed against 17 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Bronze medal is the first one from the European Boxing Confederation.

Bangladesh’s First Female Racer - Kashfia Arfa

Kashfia Arfa truly broke the stereotype that "women can't drive cars" in Bangladesh. She has made the nation realize that women can drive and win in sports car racing. Her journey started right after she got her driving license, and she worked towards living her passion for car racing. Recently, she secured a position among the top 6 in the Asian Auto Gymkhana Championship 2024 Round

2.At the onset, there were challenges as there was not much practice in car racing in Bangladesh. However, gradually, she made everything happen and won gold in the female solo knockouts.

82-Year-Old Bangladeshi Women Wins The Third Round Of The World Chess Olympiad - Rani Hamid

Rani Hamid, an 80-plus-year-old woman, proves that age is just a number and that intellect cannot be measured by age. She defeated her opponents in round three of the prestigious International Chess Olympiad. However, Bangladesh's women's chess team lost against Argentina in the ninth round.

Rani's ongoing success in the Chess Olympiad inspires women in Bangladesh and aspiring chess players of all ages.

Challenges And Opportunities For Women In Bangladesh

However, the success stories of women are becoming more common nowadays. Still, women face a lot of challenges in Bangladesh. Among them, gender based violence, discrimination, limited access to information, and societal expectations are common.

Alongside this, there are opportunities like government initiatives, civil society organizations, international support, and a changing attitude towards women. These opportunities should be widespread and utilised to ensure the consistent rise of women in Bangladesh.