In a historic development, three women have taken oath as ministers and state ministers in the new government, all for the first time as members of the cabinet. Remarkably, each of these women has followed in the footsteps of her father, who was previously involved in politics with the BNP and also served as a minister. They now continue their family legacy as part of the ruling BNP administration.
On Tuesday afternoon, following the swearing-in of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister, 25 ministers and 24 state ministers formally assumed their offices. Of the 50-member cabinet, the three women represent the entire female contingent. Among them, Afroza Khanam took oath as a full minister, while Shama Obaid Islam and Farzana Sharmin were sworn in as state ministers.
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Profiles of the Women Cabinet Members
| Name | Age | Constituency | Votes Received | Political Background | Education | Profession | Family Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afroza Khanam | 63 | Manikganj-3 (Sadar & Saturia) | 167,345 | Entered politics following her father Harunar Rashid Khan, four-time MP & former minister; previously contested 2008 elections | B.Com (Accounting) | Chairperson, Munnu Group of Industries | Married to Moinul Islam (businessman); mother of 3; mother Huron Nahar Rashid |
| Shama Obaid Islam | 52 | Faridpur-2 | 121,994 | Entered politics after the death of her father K M Obaidur Rahman, former BNP General Secretary & minister; BNP organisational secretary; contested 2008 & 2018 elections | BSc | Managing Director, Eliur Builders Ltd | Married to Mostazirul Shovon Islam (Managing Director, Sparrow Apparel Ltd); mother of 2; mother Shaheda Obaid |
| Farzana Sharmin | 41 | Natore-1 (Lalpur-Bagatipara) | 102,726 | Daughter of late BNP leader Fazlur Rahman (Patol), former MP & state minister; only woman elected from northern region | LLM (Dhaka University) | Lawyer, Supreme Court of Bangladesh | Married to H M Barru Sani (businessman); mother of 2; mother Kamrun Nahar, college principal |
Afroza Khanam: Ministerial Trailblazer
Afroza Khanam, who made history as the only woman ever elected from Manikganj-3 since independence, secured 167,345 votes. She previously managed her father’s electoral campaigns, notably in the 2001 national elections for Manikganj-2 and -3. Before entering the cabinet, she has been the chairperson of Munnu Group of Industries and unsuccessfully contested the 2008 national elections.
Shama Obaid Islam: Continuing a Political Legacy
Shama Obaid Islam, victorious in Faridpur-2 with 121,994 votes, entered politics following her father’s passing. An established BNP organisational secretary, she combines political service with her role as managing director of Eliur Builders Ltd. She had earlier contested in 2008 and 2018 but was unsuccessful.
Farzana Sharmin: Northern Representative and Lawyer
At 41, Farzana Sharmin is the youngest of the trio and the sole female MP from the northern region, elected from Natore-1 with 102,726 votes. A practising lawyer in the Supreme Court, she holds an LLM from Dhaka University. Her father, Fazlur Rahman (Patol), served three terms in parliament and held ministerial responsibilities in social welfare and youth and sports.
These appointments underscore the growing role of women in Bangladeshi politics and highlight the enduring influence of political families in shaping national leadership.