Women holding key administrative posts, redefining leadership in Shariatpur

Commitment, leadership, and professional excellence have propelled women to the top of Shariatpur's administration, where they now hold all 16 key posts.

Once male-dominated, these positions are transforming governance, improving service delivery, strengthening accountability, and quietly reshaping the district's administrative landscape.

At the helm are two trailblazers: Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Tahsina Begum leads civil administration, while Superintendent of Police Raunak Jahan commands law enforcement. Their presence at the district's most powerful posts signals a new era of decisive, inclusive leadership.

Across the administration, women are driving change. Mousumi Mannan serves as an additional district magistrate, while Sadia Zerin holds the post of additional deputy commissioner for ICT and Education.

Helena Parveen works as the district registrar, Naznin Shamima as the district relief and rehabilitation officer, and Umme Kulsum as an assistant director of the regional passport office.

Consumer rights protection activities are overseen by Jannatul Ferdous, an assistant director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection. Supriya Bar serves as a deputy director of the Rural Development Board, Asma Akter is jail superintendent of the district prison, and Rafia Islam works as deputy director of the Department of Women's Affairs.

Women are also leading key administrative units at the grassroots level. Ilora Yasmin serves as upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Shariatpur Sadar, while Nusrat Ara Khanam holds the same position in Gosairhat upazila. Several other women officers – including Lucky Das, Nusrat Jahan Arbi and Mehera Afroze Subarna – are engaged in land administration and field-level governance.

These women are not symbolic figures but active decision-makers, visible in every facet of administration – from maintaining law and order to supervising development projects, coordinating field drives, and ensuring public services. Many emphasise that gender does not define their work; discipline, dedication, and competence do.

Officials note that social and workplace challenges remain, yet persistence, integrity, and professional skill enable women to overcome barriers. Their presence is setting a powerful precedent, making administration more dynamic, transparent, and accountable.

Superintendent Raunak Jahan said family support and personal competence were key to her journey. "Leadership depends on skill, not gender. The Constitution guarantees equal rights, but social realities can be challenging," she said, adding that she finds inspiration working alongside other women officials.

District Commissioner Tahsina Begum emphasised responsibility over comparison. "My focus is on fulfilling my duties with humanity and dedication. Women often face greater scrutiny; when men fail, it is not linked to gender, but if a woman falters, people quickly say, 'She is a woman.' Awareness of this drives us to perform with care and excellence."

As Shariatpur's women leaders continue to steer the district's administration with dedication and professionalism, their example resonates beyond the district – a powerful testament to the capability, resilience, and transformative potential of women in leadership, celebrated especially on International Women's Day.