Bangladesh mourns Nurjahan Begum, a pioneer in women's emancipation
The journalist died at the age of 91. Throughout her life, she fought to help women succeed in a conservative and male-dominated society. Her magazine ‘Begum’ inspired hundreds of women and girls to write. For one Catholic writer, she helped many people: “I am grateful to her”.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Bangladesh’s highest authorities as well as thousands of women readers paid tribute today to Nurjahan Begum, a pioneering figure in Bangladesh’s journalism and women's emancipation, who passed away yesterday at the age of 91.
For most of her adult life, she fought for women’s rights in a highly conservative and male-dominated society. “The nation,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said today, “lost a great figure."
Born in 1925 into a Muslim family in Chandpur district, she was immersed in journalism from early on. Her father, Mohammad Nasiruddin, was the editor of the Kolkata-based monthly Saogat. After India’s partition, the paper moved to Dhaka in 1950.
In 1947, her father encouraged her and other women to take up the pen. Her career took off along with that other major literary figures from the subcontinent like Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Sufia Kamal.
That same year, the weekly Begum was launched, which Nurjahan edited ever since. As a publisher, she pushed for contributions from women.
“She worked for the emancipation of women and against religious fanaticism, superstition and cultural backwardness,” said Ayesha Khanom, president of Mahila Parishad. “She was always a modern woman in an excessively conservative and male-dominated country."
“She was a very loving woman,” said Jane Kumkum D'Cruze, a Catholic writer and former journalist. “Thanks to her, many young women became established writers. I wrote for her paper.”
“She published our articles and photos, and was always a source of inspiration. I am grateful to her for all the help she gave me.”
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09/09/2022 17:16
