Despite barely scraping by, and hounded by death threats and false suits, Nanda’s work with the landless is a symbol of her indefatigability. Nanda Rani Das (born 1960) is much of many things-women’s rights activist, mobilizer of the landless, an ideal of courage and integrity. For more than 24 years, ignoring her own hand-to-mouth existence, […]
Today, Bangladesh’s fundamentalist forces find that they cannot cope with the organized power of the common people united under Ebadon Bibi’s leadership. Ebadon Bibi (born 1945), once a daily-wage laborer, is now a spirited activist fighting for the rights of landless people like herself. Bold and innovative, Ebadon is a natural motivator. She is credited […]
Sufia could see that when she spoke alone about her concerns, she spoke to deaf ears. Collective action, however, provoked the local adminstration to examine and revise entrenched practices. A silent victim of domestic violence until 1984, Sufia Khatun’s life changed dramatically after she met with activists from the NGO Nijera Kori (which means doing […]
“Now, I am a person who can speak against injustice, mobilize people to join our struggle against corrupt machineries, and fight for poor peoples’ rights to life and livelihood.” Rahela Khatun was born in 1965 into a large, impoverished family in Noai village, Khulna district. Rising above her poverty and desertion by both father and […]
“I started my career with a dream-that I will work for the people and bring about a change in society. I still believe that change is possible. I work hard for that change.” Sandhya Roy (born 1954) was only 17 when she left home to help soldiers wounded in the 1971 Bangladesh war. The end […]
“It is the people themselves who have resisted this invasion into their communities and their lives. We came to strengthen the movement, add voice, and support it.” Khushi Kabir (born 1948) embodies the very spirit of the socioeconomic empowerment of women, peace, and democracy in Bangladesh. For more than 30 years, she has been involved […]
