Monira Rahman

Monira Rahman (born 1965 in Jessore, East Pakistan) is a Bangladeshi human rights activist. Due to her movement, acid and petrol attacks on women in Bangladesh have been reduced by 40 fold. Rahman became Commonwealth Professional Fellow in 2012 and Ashoka Fellow in 2013.

Early life Rahman was the youngest of her six siblings. During the Bangladesh Liberation War (1971), her family had to flee and her father died, leaving her mother to raise six children. This devastating experience left a deep impression on Rahman and forced her to become very independent. Since childhood Rahman was involved in debate and cultural activities which led her to develop leadership and taught her to ask questions. She was elected Vice President of Samsunnahar Hall, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh during her university life. After graduation her family forced her to get a government job but instead she joined Concern Worldwide as a social worker. She is currently working as country lead in Mental Health First Aid Bangladesh and executive director of innovation for Wellbeing Bangladesh of which she is also the founder.

Honours and awards

Human Rights Defender (March 2006) – Amnesty International International Awards for Health and Dignity for women (October 2009) – Americans for UNFPA World's Children's Prize Honorary Award (April 2011) – World's Children's Prize Foundation, Sweden Commonwealth Professional Fellow (October 2012) – Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) Ashoka Fellowship (February 2015) – Ashoka, Innovators for the Public