Colonel Nazma's feat

It is a matter of pride to see the first ever female contingent commander from Bangladesh Army to a UN peace keeping mission being awarded a special UN award for outstanding leadership in a high-tempo operational environment like Côte d'Ivoire where Bangladesh Army has been carrying out peacekeeping missions since 2004, with the highest level of professionalism and efficiency. Colonel Dr Nazma Begum has also been selected for Military Gender Advocate of the Year-2016 Award. Her achievement commands a salute.

The induction of women in the Bangladesh Armed Force has been a significant development and Colonel Nazma's accomplishments prove that women are no less qualified than men in any field of work, including in the armed forces, if offered equal opportunities and working conditions. Our female paratroopers and pilots are reaffirmation of that fact. Thus, for the government it is important to acknowledge that creating favourable conditions for women to excel in their respective areas is to advance the country. 

We believe that the best of women can be as good, if not better, than the best of men, given the opportunity. Colonel Nazma proves that attributes most valuable for success in the field of military operation as well as in life—leadership, courage and commitment—are not the exclusive preserve of men. Her strength as a manager in an international environment and a trying atmosphere will inspire women of this country. In hailing her achievement, we hail a symbol of what, as a nation, we collectively aspire to be.