Rina Akter

Rina Akter (born c.1988) is a Bangladeshi sex worker turned humanitarian. She was recognised as one of BBC's 100 Women in 2020 for her work when she was organising 400 meals a day during the COVID-19 pandemic for unemployed Dhaka sex workers.

Life Akter was born in Bangladesh in about 1988. or ten years old. She worked amongst the sex workers in Dhaka. The organisation she was part of was called Durjoy Nari Sangha and after a while she joined the organisation Lighthouse. There is a drop-in centre where the workers can accessed support including health and legal advice and when required they can get help with births and funerals.

Her work became invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic when Dhaka's sex workers were starving. National restrictions required social distancing and the workers were getting no food or assistance. With the help of others and NGOs she organises 400 meals a day for these women.