First Lady of Bangladesh (Bengali: বাংলাদেশের ফার্স্ট লেডি, romanized: Bānlādēśēra phārsṭa lēḍi) is the unofficial title given to the spouse of the president of Bangladesh. Prominent former first ladies include Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, former prime minister Khaleda Zia[1] and former opposition leader Rowshan Ershad.[2] The incumbent first lady is Rebecca Sultana.
| First Lady of Bangladesh | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) | |
| Residence | Bangabhaban |
| Appointer | President of Bangladesh |
| Term length | Five years, renewable once |
| Inaugural holder | Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib |
| Formation | 26 March 1971 |
The title should not be confused with the husband or wife of the prime minister of Bangladesh. Rashida Hamid was the longest serving first lady of Bangladesh.[3]
Duties
editDuties of the first lady are receiving foreign leaders along with the president, conversing with the spouse of the foreign leader, being a role model for the people of the nation, promoting of policies by the government urging public support of policies, and advocating for socio-economic change. An example of this is Rowshan Ershad who called for improvements in women's rights.[4]
Appointment
editThe first lady takes up her role and office after the inauguration of the president of Bangladesh who is appointed by the Jatiya Sangsad. After the inauguration she resides with her husband at Bangabhaban.[citation needed]
List of first ladies
edit| Name | Term | President | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib | 17 April 1971 – 12 January 1972 | Sheikh Mujibur Rahman | Awami League |
| Begum Khurshid Chowdhury | 12 January 1972 – 24 December 1973 | Abu Sayeed Chowdhury | Awami League |
| Name Unavailable | 24 December 1973 – 25 January 1975 | Mohammad Mohammadullah | Awami League |
| Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib | 25 January 1975 – 15 August 1975 | Sheikh Mujibur Rahman | BAKSAL |
| Name Unavailable | 15 August 1975 – 6 November 1975 | Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad | Awami League |
| Khodeza Begum | 6 November 1975 – 21 April 1977 | Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem | Independent |
| Khaleda Zia | 21 April 1977 – 30 May 1981 | Ziaur Rahman | Bangladesh Nationalist Party |
| Name Unavailable | 30 May 1981 – 24 March 1982 | Abdus Sattar | Bangladesh Nationalist Party |
| Name Unavailable | 27 March 1982 - 11 December 1983 | A.F.M. Ahsanuddin Chowdhury | Independent |
| Rowshan Ershad | 11 December 1983 – 6 December 1990 | Hussain Mohammad Ershad | National Party |
| Anowara Begum (acting) | 6 December 1990 – 10 October 1991 | Shahabuddin Ahmed | Independent |
| Hosne Ara Rahman | 10 October 1991 – 9 October 1996 | Abdur Rahman Biswas | Bangladesh Nationalist Party |
| Anowara Begum | 9 October 1996 – 11 November 2001 | Shahabuddin Ahmed | Independent |
| Hasina Warda Chowdhury | 14 November 2001 – 21 June 2002 | AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury | Bangladesh Nationalist Party |
| Anwara Begum | 6 September 2002 – 15 February 2009 | Iajuddin Ahmed | Independent |
| Vacant | 12 February 2009 – 20 March 2013 | Zillur Rahman (widower) | Awami League |
| Rashida Hamid | 24 April 2013 – 24 April 2023 | Mohammad Abdul Hamid | Awami League |
| Rebecca Sultana | 24 April 2023 – present | Mohammed Shahabuddin | Awami League |
References
edit- ^ "Profile: Khaleda Zia". BBC News. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- ^ "Rowshan Ershad to be opposition leader". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- ^ "President's wife stresses women's advanced capability to face challenges". BSS. 30 March 2022.
- ^ President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Hussain Muhammad Ershad, First Lady Begum Raushan Ershad - Pamphlet. Padma Printers Bangladesh. pp. 28–31.