Bangladeshi woman embarks on historic Himalayan expedition

'Women's Winter Expedition,' the first-of-its-kind mountain expedition for women in Bangladesh, has been organised by 'Abhijatri,' an organisation for mountaineers.

Bangladeshi mountaineer Nishat Mazumder is leading this expedition with the overall support of the international brand Mastercard. Bangladesh Liberation War Museum is also a partner in this initiative.

A flag-hoisting ceremony was held today (Friday) at the Liberation War Museum premises to commemorate this occasion.

This expedition aims to celebrate the determination, imagination and courage of Bangladeshi women. Nishat Mazumder will lead the expedition, while other team members include mountaineers Yasmin Lisa, AP Talukder, Arpita Debnath and Tahura Sultana Rekha. Two mountaineers are experienced, while the other two are new trainee trekkers. 

Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain's renowned women's empowerment literary work Sultana's Dream has been listed in the Memory of the World Regional Register for Asia Pacific by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Inspired by this acclaimed literary work, Abhijatri has taken this initiative under the slogan "Sultana's Dream Unbound." 

The expedition, to be held in Nepal's Langtang Himalayas, envisions the summit of three mountain peaks Naya Kanga Peak (5,844 meters), Baden-Powell Peak (5,857 meters), and Yala Peak (5,500 meters).

Present guests at the event were Nusrat Amin, Head of Communications and Public Engagement, UNESCO Dhaka; Syed Mohammad Kamal, Country Manager, Bangladesh, Mastercard; and Mr Mofidul Hoque, Trustee, Liberation War Museum. Nishat Mazumder presented the campaign details, and representatives from UNESCO, Mastercard, and the Liberation War Museum spoke at the event.