ISHO announces winners of Women’s Day 2026 Design Challenge
ISHO has announced the winners of its Women's Day 2026 Design Challenge, held with Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) under the theme "Designing Safer Cities for Women".
The challenge invited university students across Bangladesh to develop practical, innovative design solutions to improve women's safety in urban environments, focusing on moving ideas from concept to potential real-world application, according to the press release.
The initiative invited university students across Bangladesh to develop practical, innovative design solutions to improve women's safety in urban environments, focusing on moving ideas from concept to potential real-world application, according to the press release.
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North South University student Afifa Jahin Roza won the competition.
Md Mahamodul Hasan Palash of Daffodil International University secured second place.
A team from Khulna University comprising Husna Zahan Tonny, Md Mostakim Molla and Tanzima Akter Anka secured third place.
A judging panel evaluated the entries: NR Khan and Associates Partner Architect Tayna Karim; The Daily Star's Star Lifestyle Editor Mehrin Chowdhury; Rajuk Chief Town Planner (Current Charge) Md Ashraful Islam; and ISHO Founder and Managing Director Rayana Hossain.
Built around the theme "Rights. Justice. Action.", the challenge invited participants to examine women's safety across streets, public spaces, transportation, educational institutions, workplaces and residential environments.
ISHO Founder and Managing Director Rayana Hossain said, "We wanted to create something that goes beyond simply talking about women's safety. As a design-led brand, we believe design has the power to influence how people experience and interact with their cities."
"This challenge was created to give young architects a platform to identify real problems, challenge existing systems and develop ideas that can potentially make our cities safer and more inclusive for women."
"Most importantly, we wanted these ideas to have a life beyond the competition – to be explored, developed and, where possible, brought closer to reality," she added.
As part of the ISHO–Rajuk collaboration, the winning project will be further developed with urban-planning support from Rajuk Chief Town Planner (Current Charge) Md Ashraful Islam, alongside Rayana Hossain and the ISHO team.
The collaboration aims to explore the winning project's potential for development, prototyping and real-world application.
ISHO said the initiative is part of its efforts to use design as a platform for social impact and to create opportunities for young designers to contribute ideas for safer, more inclusive cities.
