Hameeda Hossain

Hameeda Hossain is a pioneering human rights and labour rights activist. Born in 1936 in Hyderabad, Hameeda is widely recognised for her dedication to freedom of thought and her efforts to promote human rights, gender equality, and social justice.

Hameeda along with Kamal Hossain and Rehman Sobhan established the weekly magazine 'Forum' in 1969. This publication served as a crucial platform for Bengali citizens to express their national aspirations, challenge the concept of a militarised and theocratic state, and raise the concerns of the rural and working-class communities.

Following Bangladesh's independence, Hameeda dedicated her efforts towards supporting the women survivors of the war-time sexual violence. In 1974, she co-founded Karika - Bangladesh Hastashilpa Samabaya Federation Ltd, an organisation aimed at promoting and commercialising local handicrafts.

Hameeda has also played a major role in establishing several human rights organisations, including Ain-o-Salish Kendra, a leading human rights body in Bangladesh, and Sramik Nirapotta Forum, which focuses on worker protections.

Her activism has also extended globally, as she actively participated in the UN Conference for Women in Mexico City in 1975, co-founded the Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN) network, and helped establish the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development. She was also the co-author of Bangladesh's Shadow Report for CEDAW.

Hameeda has extensively written on women's experiences of the war, the plight of female workers, and the arts and crafts industry. Her PhD thesis, later published as "Company Weavers of Bengal", is widely regarded as a seminal work on the history of textile production in Bengal and the life and working conditions of the artisans.

The Daily Star pays tribute to Hameeda as a beacon of freedom of thought, champion of social justice, defender of human rights, and advocate for women's empowerment. Her tireless efforts to create a better world serve as an inspiration to us all.