Khurshid Jahan


Begum Khurshida Jahan Haq was the Minister of Women's and Children's Affairs of Bangladesh from 2001 to 2006, serving under her sister, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. During her term in office, she worked to curb human trafficking of women and children in Bangladesh, as well as to provide programs and services to rehabilitate former victims of human trafficking.

Early life

Khurshid Jahan Haq was born on 11 August 1939 in Balaburi, in the Dinajpur District of Bangladesh. After matriculation from the local schools, she attended Kumudini College where she received a BA degree in 1958. During her college years, she was active in student government and served as Secretary of the Students' Union in 1956–57.

Career

Jahan served as a vice-chairmen of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and in 1991 was named as a Member of Parliament in the reserved seat for women. She was later twice re-elected as MP from the Dinajpur-3 constituency, in 1996 and 2001. She was given the position of Minister of Women's and Children's Affairs on October 10, 2001, and held the position until her death in 2006.