Ferdous Ara Begum
Ferdous Ara Begum | |
|---|---|
| ফেরদৌস আরা বেগম | |
| Born | Bangladesh |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Education | University of Dhaka, Harvard Kennedy School |
| Occupation(s) | Economist, Gender Specialist, Former Government Official |
| Organizations | UN CEDAW, UNFPA |
| Notable work | Dowry: A Social Crime (2004) |
Ferdous Ara Begum is a Bangladeshi economist, gender specialist, and retired civil servant.[1] She was a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and is an expert consultant on Gender Issues for the United Nations Population Fund.[1] She was the first woman director-general of the state-owned Bangladesh Television.[2][3] She is a former joint secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.[4]
Early life
[edit]Begum completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from the University of Dhaka.[5] She later earned a Master of Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.[5]
Career
[edit]In 1994, Begum became the first woman Commissioner of Taxes in Bangladesh.[5]
While serving as joint secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (2002–2004), Begum played a pivotal role in 34 gender-specific projects aimed at enhancing the social and legal protection of women and children, particularly in rural Bangladesh.[5][1] She worked on the initiatives to implement the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women's concluding observations in Bangladesh.[5] She was posted at the Economic Relations Division, but the Ministry of Finance refused to accept her.[6]
In 2005, Begum made history again by becoming the first female Director General of Bangladesh Television, the state-owned national television.[5] She introduced Sesame Street to Bangladesh Television.[7]
Begum was awarded the Begum Rokeya Shining Personality Award in 2005 by Narikantha Foundation.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Begum is married to Tajul Islam, Press Secretary to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.[6] They both received promotions under the President's quota after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party came to power.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Charanji, Kavita (4 August 2016). "Bangladesh gains representation in the committee". archive.thedailystar.net. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Reform discriminatory laws against women". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Ferdous Ara first woman DG of BTV". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Exclusive industrial zone for women demanded". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ a b c d e f "Ferdous Ara Begum". www.culturaldiplomacy.org. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ a b c "More changes in admin". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Sesame Street comes to Bangladesh". www.thedailystar.net. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "48 get Begum Rokeya Shining Award-2005". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2025-03-17.