The Government of Bangladesh has taken a positive step towards recognising the contributions of the Hijra community by honouring Mohona, a Hijra rights activist and President of Diner Alo Hijra Sangha, with the Indomitable Woman Award 2025 for her outstanding contributions to social development. The award was presented on Saturday, 8 March, during a national ceremony marking International Women’s Day at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. Chief Adviser to the interim government, Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, personally presented the award to Mohona. By recognising a representative of the Hijra community at a major national event, the government acknowledged the leadership, social contributions, and development efforts of a historically marginalised community. The initiative represents a positive example of state recognition and social inclusion for gender-diverse people in Bangladesh.
Mohona, a resident of Chhoto Bongram Uttarpara in Rajshahi, has been working for many years to advance the rights, dignity, and economic empowerment of the Hijra community. According to published reports, she has been associated with Diner Alo Hijra Sangha since 2002, while the organisation’s activities gained further momentum from 2010. Under her leadership, the organisation has undertaken various initiatives to improve the living conditions of Hijra people, create alternative livelihood opportunities, promote social awareness, and strengthen their participation in mainstream society. Its work has particularly focused on supporting Hijra individuals who face social discrimination, economic exclusion, and limited employment opportunities. Recognising Mohona’s longstanding contributions through a national award is an important step towards making community-led leadership more visible at the national level.
In Bangladesh, members of the Hijra community have historically faced significant barriers in accessing education, employment, healthcare, and social recognition. Despite these challenges, Hijra community leaders have continued to promote social development, economic independence, and equal rights through their own initiatives. Against this backdrop, the government’s decision to honour Mohona with the Indomitable Woman Award carries particular significance. The recognition acknowledges Hijra individuals not merely as recipients of social assistance or protection, but as active leaders and contributors to national development. By celebrating Mohona’s achievements, the government has provided an opportunity to highlight the capabilities, leadership, and positive contributions of the Hijra community, potentially encouraging broader public recognition and acceptance.
The International Women’s Day ceremony also recognised other women for their outstanding achievements and contributions across different sectors, including the accomplishments of Bangladesh’s women’s cricket team. The inclusion of a Hijra rights activist among the national award recipients represents a meaningful example of inclusive recognition. It demonstrates the importance of acknowledging leadership and achievements across different communities, particularly those that have historically remained underrepresented in public institutions and national recognition programmes. Such government initiatives can help challenge negative stereotypes, promote greater social acceptance, and encourage the participation of marginalised communities in social and economic development.
The Government of Bangladesh’s recognition of Mohona represents a positive development in promoting the visibility, dignity, and social inclusion of Hijra and gender-diverse communities. Honouring a community leader for her longstanding contributions may inspire more Hijra individuals to engage in social leadership, entrepreneurship, community development, and rights-based initiatives. At the same time, the recognition highlights the importance of translating symbolic achievements into sustained government efforts to ensure equal opportunities in education, employment, healthcare, and social protection. By presenting the Indomitable Woman Award 2025 to Mohona on International Women’s Day, the government has established an encouraging example of recognising the contributions of marginalised communities and supporting the broader goal of building a more inclusive and equitable Bangladesh.
References
- RisingBD — Mohona Receives Indomitable Woman Award, 8 March 2025.
Read the RisingBD report - BDNews999 — Rajshahi Hijra Activist Mohona Among Indomitable Woman Award Recipients, 8 March 2025.
Read the BDNews999 report - Bangla Tribune — Women’s Cricket Team Among Indomitable Woman Award Recipients, 8 March 2025.
Read the Bangla Tribune report - The Daily Ittefaq — Women’s Cricket Team Among Indomitable Woman Award Recipients, 8 March 2025.
Read the Daily Ittefaq report - Ajker Patrika — Indomitable Woman Awards Recognise Women’s Achievements, 8 March 2025.
Read the Ajker Patrika report - NTV — Chief Adviser Presents Indomitable Woman Awards, 8 March 2025.
Read the NTV report
