31/07/2025
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.
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. 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.
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.
