JCI Bangladesh awards 10 outstanding women at WOIA 2025

Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bangladesh hosted the Women of Inspiration Award (WOIA) 2025 ceremony on Saturday evening at Aloki Convention, Dhaka, honouring exceptional female leaders and unsung heroes from across the country.

The event highlighted the contributions of ten outstanding women in fields including fashion, business, sports, entertainment, medicine, technology, and community development. A special segment was dedicated to three community champions for their transformative work.

Legendary music icon Runa Laila was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her enduring contributions to music and the arts, recognising her status as a celebrated cultural figure in Bangladesh. In light of the recent Milestone School tragedy, a minute of silence and special commemoration were observed during the event.

The evening began with an inauguration by chief guest Mahbubur Rahman, President of ICC Bangladesh and Chairman of ETBL Holdings, who delivered an inspiring speech before formally opening the event. Keynote addresses followed from JCI Bangladesh National President Kazi Fahad and JCI World Advisor Ravi Shankar.

The awards ceremony featured recognition for: Runa Laila, Lifetime Achievement Award – Legendary musician and cultural icon; Afeida Khandaker, Woman in Sports Award – Captain of the Bangladesh Women's Football Team; Toma Mirza, Woman in Entertainment Award – Actress and producer; Farzana Shakil, Woman as Entrepreneur – Beauty Award – Founder and Managing Director of Farzana Shakil's Makeover Salon; Azra Selim, Woman in Innovation Award – Managing Director and CEO of Shombhob Health Ltd.; Sarah Karim, Woman in Fashion & Lifestyle Award – Founder and Lead Designer at Sarah Karim Couture; Zarin Rashid, Woman as Aspiring Leader Award – Director and Head of R&D at TRZ Garments, and Founder of KINO and "Feed Me"; Nodi Khandakar, Woman as Influential Personnel Award – Founder and Lead Makeup Artist at Nodi Khandaker's Makeover; Nazia Kabir, Woman in Law & Order Award – Advocate at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and Independent Director at Prime Bank PLC; and Prof. Dr. Farhana Dewan, Woman in Medical Science Award – Professor and Head of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Ibn Sina Medical College.

Three community champions were also recognised as Unsung Heroes: Hafiza Akter Rani, Founder of Amra Pari Enterprises and women's rights activist; Ayesha Chowdhury, President of Shopnoferi Social Development Society and Hajj with Ayesha Foundation; and Sanu Akter Nodi, student activist at the University of Chittagong.

Other highlights included the launch of the JCI Bangladesh Magazine and the inauguration of the Branding Bangladesh initiative. Cultural performances were delivered by Alif & Co., followed by a live concert by singer Kona.

The event was supported by a range of sponsors, including NCC Bank as the Title Sponsor, UCB Bank as the Powered by Sponsor, and Threadworks Limited as the Platinum Sponsor.

Kazi Fahad, National President of JCI Bangladesh, said: "Tonight, we celebrate the resilience, innovation, and leadership of women who are shaping Bangladesh's future."

JCI World Advisor Ravi Shankar added: "These awards are a testament to the silent yet powerful contributions of women across sectors."

The event was organised under the leadership of Event Advisor Fatema Akter Naz, NEVP of JCI Bangladesh, with Event Director Raihatul Zannah Tabin, National Vice President of JCI Bangladesh. The organising team also included COCs Samia Tahsin, Shameema Nasrin, and Co-COC Shahmina Isha Mannan.