POBNEWS24, Dhaka June 4, 2022 : Captain Kaniz Fatema, who was not defeated in the struggle of her life, has been promoted to the rank of Major in Bangladesh Army.
The ceremony to give the promotion to her was held at the Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka Cantonment in presence of all the formation commanders of Bangladesh Army, including Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, today (Saturday).
This is the first time a paralyzed woman in Bangladesh Army given such an honour, according to a press release of ISPR.
Paralyzed Kaniz Fatema is a role model for all women in the country and in the international arena, not just the Bangladesh Army. The story started on September 18, 2012 at the Bangladesh Military Academy. Kaniz met an accident during training and broke his spinal cord.
Kaniz Fatema joined the Bangladesh Army in 2011 with a dream of serving the country. Following the incident, it was not possible for her to continue the strict and orderly normal activities of the Army.
But this fearless woman was determined to work for the protection of the country’s interests without giving in to fate. Respecting this indomitable zeal of Kaniz Fatema, the Bangladesh Army commissioned her in the 69 BMA long course of 2013 with special consideration.
Though Kaniz Fatema used a wheelchair in her movement, but with her indomitable mental strength and the help of her colleagues, she was able to carry out her daily activities spontaneously. Her physical inability has been overcome with her will step by step. This rare honour bestowed on a fearless woman by the Bangladesh Army, a symbol of the confidence of the country and the people, will always be a role model in the advancement of every woman in the country and a shining example in the pages of history.
As part of the initiative of the empowerment of women by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the first regular recruitment of women officers in the army started in 2000.
In continuation of this, since 2015, various steps have been taken to accelerate the advancement of women in the country, including the addition of women soldiers, the issuance of unit commands to women officers, and the appointment of women officers to important positions in UN peacekeeping missions.The nation with respect will remember this special event at the behest of the honorable Chief of Army Staff.
