Zaiba Tahyya

Zaiba Tahyya is a Bangladeshi women's rights advocate. She established Female Empowerment Movement (FEM) to combat violence against women and promote gender equality. The organization led various programs such as teaching women self-defense in order to diminish rape cases in impoverished areas where cases are high.

Life Tahyya was born in Bangladesh. She spent her elementary years in Canada and moved back to Bangladesh where she finished middle school and high school. She obtained her degree in criminology from the UK.

Tahyya spent her summer internship at Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST). As a research intern, she was involved in a study concerning the verification of rape cases via two-finger test. Her exposure to cases of violence against women, such as the numerous incidents of unreported sexual abuse, triggered a desire in her to address the issue.

Tahyya worked as a research associate at Police Staff College, specializing in violence against women.

FEM has provided English lessons, cycling and vocational training to women. Tahyya is planning to expand the organization outside Bangladesh.