by Iffat Ara Sharmeen
21 December, 2024
Hosn-e-ara Akhter Hasi and Arzina Akhter won the prestigious Joyeeta Award at an event in Chilmari, Kurigram on 10 December for their resolute service and impeccable efforts in delivering justice and ensuring gender equity. The Joyeeta Award is given by the Government of Bangladesh to women who have made exceptional contributions to their communities and women’s empowerment. “Joyeeta” means “victorious” and symbolises the indomitable spirit of a woman who has overcome challenges to achieve success.
The chars hold on to a web of patriarchal infrastructure and archaic perspective, where the plight of women is often lost in translation and rights are ignored. Braving society evils and fighting for self-determination remains to be a challenge for women there. Friendship Community Paralegals have been providing free legal advice, raising awareness of basic rights among women, and facilitating conflict resolution to empower women to make their own choices. Community paralegals Hasi and Arzina carried on this work with excellence, leading them to win two Joyeeta Awards under the Social Development category. This award acknowledges their exceptional work for communities and promoting justice and social change.
Friendship Community Paralegals: Empowering Marginalised Women
As Community Paralegals Ms. Hosn-e-ara Akhter Hasi from Khamar Bashpata Char and Ms. Arzina Akhter from Dakshin Mudafat Char have found numerous successes in ensuring inclusive citizenship, including resolving land disputes, securing government services, and educating communities on legal and human rights. As a result of their services, the gap between vulnerable populations and formal justice systems has lessened. These communities now enjoy land security, better access to legal services, and citizen benefits such as disability and widow allowances, etc. Using limited resources, they helped raise awareness among char communities on legal and human rights as well. They additionally worked to foster collaboration between the communities and union parishads to strengthen local governance.
A Symbol of Resilience, Empowerment, and Hope
Hosn-e-ara Hashi’s journey is a powerful story of resilience. Living on a remote char island, she faced the devastation of losing her home to river erosion, leaving her family homeless and without livelihood. Determined to rebuild, Hashi found stability through local initiatives that provided training, resources, and support. She learned business management and opened a tailoring shop, gaining income and independence. Her transformation led her to become a Friendship community paralegal, where she empowered other women by sharing her story and encouraging education and financial independence. Hashi also helped mobilise training resources for women in the chars. Now a Joyeeta Award winner, she stands as a symbol of perseverance, showing that with the right opportunities, any challenge can be overcome.
Rising From the Ashes with Community Leadership
Like Hashi, Arzina Akhter too faced relentless hardships, from economic challenges to lack of access to basic services. Challenges did not let her down. It only drove her to become a Friendship community paralegal. She started offering legal aid, social awareness, psychosocial support, and training courses for women in her community. She raised awareness on fundamental rights, encouraged women about income-generating activities, and facilitated alternative dispute resolutions. One of her most significant achievements was participating in a vocational skills training programme, which later enabled her to earn a stable income. Arzina as a more informed and confident woman, was able to then advocate for her family and other women. Balancing household tasks with these new roles was a major setback. Yet, she persevered. She worked till late at night to meet her commitments. As a female mentor and independent businesswoman, she earned respect from her community. Sharing her knowledge, Arzina urged others to pursue similar paths through workshops and discussions, slowing transforming into a community leader. Arzina is proof that targeted interventions and individual strength can lead to wonders for a single community.
The Joyeeta Award, established by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in 2011, honours individuals and groups making significant contributions to social progress and women’s empowerment. Each year, it celebrates women excelling in areas like economic success, education, motherhood, resilience, and social development, who have defied odds to achieve these milestones. The recognition of the Friendship Community Paralegals underscores their transformative role in advancing gender equity and justice, particularly in communities where access to justice and inclusive citizenship is a challenge. This is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Friendship, local governments, and the communities they serve, reminding us of the power of inclusive citizenship and sustainable development.
