Sheikh Hasina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sheikh Hasina
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শেখ হাসিনা
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Hasina in 2023
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| 10th Prime Minister of Bangladesh | |
| In office 6 January 2009 – 5 August 2024 |
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| President | |
| Preceded by | Fakhruddin Ahmed (as Chief Adviser) |
| Succeeded by | Muhammad Yunus (as Chief Adviser) |
| In office 23 June 1996 – 15 July 2001 |
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| President | |
| Preceded by | Muhammad Habibur Rahman (as Chief Adviser) |
| Succeeded by | Latifur Rahman (as Chief Adviser) |
| 8th Leader of the House | |
| In office 6 January 2009 – 5 August 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Khaleda Zia |
| Succeeded by | TBA |
| In office 23 June 1996 – 15 July 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Khaleda Zia |
| Succeeded by | Khaleda Zia |
| 8th President of Awami League | |
| Assumed office 16 February 1981 |
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| General Secretary |
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| Preceded by | Abdul Malek Ukil |
| Member of Parliament | |
| In office 12 June 1996 – 6 August 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Mujibur Rahman Howlader |
| Succeeded by | TBA |
| Constituency | Gopalganj-3 |
| In office 27 February 1991 – 15 February 1996 |
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| Preceded by | Kazi Firoz Rashid |
| Succeeded by | Mujibur Rahman Howlader |
| Constituency | Gopalganj-3 |
| 2nd Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 10 October 2001 – 29 October 2006 |
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| Prime Minister | Khaleda Zia |
| Preceded by | Khaleda Zia |
| Succeeded by | Khaleda Zia |
| In office 20 March 1991 – 30 March 1996 |
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| Prime Minister | Khaleda Zia |
| Preceded by | Abdur Rab |
| Succeeded by | Khaleda Zia |
| In office 7 May 1986 – 3 March 1988 |
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| President | Hussain Muhammad Ershad |
| Preceded by | Asaduzzaman Khan |
| Succeeded by | Abdur Rab |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Hasina Sheikh
28 September 1947 Tungipara, East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan |
| Political party | Awami League |
| Other political affiliations |
Grand Alliance (since 2008) |
| Spouse |
M. A. Wazed Miah
(m. 1968; died 2009) |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Relatives | Tungipara Sheikh family |
| Alma mater |
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| Awards | Full list |
| Signature |  |
Sheikh Hasina (born 28 September 1947) is a Bangladeshi politician. She served as the tenth prime minister of Bangladesh from June 1996 to July 2001 and again from January 2009 to August 2024. She is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was the first president of Bangladesh. She was prime minister for over 20 years, making her the longest-serving prime minister in Bangladesh's history. She also became the world's longest-serving female head of government. Her time as prime minister ended in 2024 after a large public movement led to her leaving the country.
After the rule of Hussain Muhammad Ershad ended, Hasina, who led the Bangladesh Awami League, lost the 1991 election to Khaleda Zia. They had worked together against Ershad. As the leader of the opposition, Hasina claimed Zia's party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), cheated in the election. She then boycotted Parliament, which led to protests and political trouble. Zia resigned, and Hasina became prime minister after the June 1996 election. Her first term ended in July 2001, when Zia won the election and became prime minister again.
During a political crisis from 2006 to 2008, Hasina was held for a time. After her release, she won the 2008 election. In the 2014 general election, she was re-elected for a third term. This election was boycotted by the BNP and faced criticism from international observers. In 2017, nearly a million Rohingya people came to Bangladesh, escaping violence in Myanmar. Hasina was praised for offering them safety and help. She won a fourth and fifth term after the 2018 and 2024 elections, which were marked by some violence and criticism.
Her second time as prime minister (2009–2024) saw economic challenges, including rising prices and issues with jobs. In June 2024, new student protests began across the country. They asked for changes to the system of quotas in government jobs. These protests were met with strong responses from authorities, leading to many people getting hurt. By August, the protests grew into a large public movement against the government. This led to Hasina resigning and leaving for India.
Hasina was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2018. She was also listed as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world by Forbes in 2015, 2018, and 2022.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Hasina was born on 28 September 1947 in Tungipara, East Bengal. Her father was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and her mother was Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib. Hasina spent her early childhood in Tungipara. When her family moved to Dhaka, they first lived in the Segunbagicha area.
When Hasina's father became a government minister in 1954, the family lived on Minto Road. In the 1950s, her father also worked for an insurance company alongside his political work. In the 1960s, the family moved to a home her father built in Dhanmondi. Hasina often spoke about growing up while her father was held as a political prisoner by the Pakistani government. She mentioned that her father was often jailed because he cared deeply for the people. Hasina and her siblings did not get much time with their father due to his focus on politics.
Education and Marriage
Hasina went to primary school in her village of Tungipara. In Dhaka, she attended Azimpur Girls' School and Begum Badrunnesa Girls' College. She then studied for a bachelor's degree at Eden College. She was chosen as the Vice President of the Students Union at Eden College from 1966 to 1967.
In 1967, she married M. A. Wazed Miah, a Bangladeshi nuclear scientist. Hasina studied Bengali literature at Dhaka University, graduating in 1973. She lived in Rokeya Hall, a women's dormitory at Dhaka University. She was active in the politics of the Bangladesh Chhatra League and was elected as the general secretary of the women's unit in Rokeya Hall.
Family Tragedy and Return
Most of Hasina's family, including her parents, were killed during the 15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état. Hasina, her husband, and her sister Sheikh Rehana were visiting Europe at the time. They found safety at the home of the Bangladeshi ambassador in West Germany. Later, they accepted an offer of political asylum from Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India. The surviving family members lived in New Delhi, India, for six years.
The military government of Ziaur Rahman stopped Hasina from returning to Bangladesh. After she was elected President of the Bangladesh Awami League on 16 February 1981, Hasina returned home on 17 May 1981. Thousands of Awami League supporters welcomed her.
Early Political Journey
Working Against Military Rule (1981–1991)
While living in India, Hasina was chosen as the President of the Awami League in 1981. This party is often described as a "Centre-Left" political group.
During the time of military rule, Hasina was often held in detention throughout the 1980s. In 1984, she was placed under house arrest in February and again in November. In March 1985, she was under house arrest for another three months.
Hasina and her party took part in the 1986 Bangladeshi general election under President Hussain Muhammad Ershad. She served as the leader of the parliamentary opposition from 1986 to 1987. She led an alliance of eight parties against Ershad. Some people criticized her decision to join the election because it was held under martial law, and other main opposition groups boycotted it. However, her supporters said she used the platform well to challenge Ershad's rule. Ershad dissolved the parliament in December 1987 when Hasina and her party resigned. They wanted a new general election under a neutral government. In November and December 1987, a large public movement took place in Dhaka, and some people were killed.
Her party, along with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Khaleda Zia, continued to work to bring back a democratically elected government. They succeeded after a referendum that changed the country back to a parliamentary system.
The next parliamentary election in 1991 was won by the BNP.
Leader of the Opposition (1991–1996)
After several years of strong rule, widespread protests and strikes caused problems for the economy. Government workers refused to follow orders and resigned. Members of the Bangladesh Rifles put down their weapons instead of shooting at protesters. A large public protest in December 1990 led to Ershad leaving power. He resigned in favor of his vice president, Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed. This caretaker government, led by Ahmed, held a general election for the parliament.
The BNP, led by Khaleda Zia, won the majority of seats. Hasina's Awami League became the largest opposition party. Hasina ran in three areas, winning in one but losing in two. She accepted the defeat and offered to resign as party president, but her party leaders asked her to stay.
Politics in Bangladesh changed in 1994 after a special election in Magura-2. The Awami League expected to win this seat, but the BNP candidate won. Neutral observers said there were issues with the election. Hasina then led the Bangladesh Awami League in boycotting the parliament starting in 1994.
First Time as Prime Minister (1996–2001)
The Awami League (AL) and other opposition parties demanded that the next general elections be held under a neutral caretaker government. They wanted this rule to be added to the constitution. The ruling BNP refused these demands.
Opposition parties started a big campaign, calling for strikes that lasted for weeks. The government said these strikes were harming the economy. The opposition argued that the BNP could solve the problem by agreeing to their demands. In late 1995, the members of parliament from the AL and other parties all resigned. The parliament finished its five-year term, and the February 1996 general election was held. All major parties except the ruling BNP boycotted this election. As a result, the BNP won all the seats. Hasina called this election a "farce" or a joke.
The new parliament, made up almost entirely of BNP members, changed the constitution to allow for a caretaker government (CTG). The June 1996 general election was held under a neutral caretaker government led by retired Chief Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman. The AL won 146 seats, which was the most, but not a full majority. Khaleda Zia, leader of the BNP, whose party won 104 seats, said the results were unfair and claimed vote rigging. However, neutral observers said the election was fair.
Hasina served her first term as Prime Minister of Bangladesh from June 1996 to July 2001. She signed a 30-year agreement with India about sharing water from the Ganges River. Her government removed the Indemnity Act, which had protected those who killed Sheikh Mujib from being charged. Her government also opened up the telecommunications industry to private companies, which had only been run by the government before.
In December 1997, Hasina's government signed the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, which ended a conflict in the Chittagong Division. For this, Hasina received the UNESCO Peace Prize. Her government started the Ashrayan-1 Project to help the homeless. Relations with neighboring countries also improved. Hasina's government finished the large Bangabandhu Bridge project in 1998. In 1999, the government began the New Industrial Policy (NIP) to make the private sector stronger and encourage growth.
Hasina's government made some changes to the economy, which led to an average of 5.5% economic growth. Food production increased, and the poverty rate went down. A Housing Fund was created to help people who lost their homes due to river erosion. The government also started a program called Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar (One House, One Farm) to help poorer families earn more through home farming.
The government introduced a social security system to help those most in need. Hasina's administration started a program that gave monthly allowances to 400,000 elderly people. This program was later expanded to include widows and women in difficult situations. A national foundation was created to help and train people with disabilities. The Ashrayan-1 Project provided homes and jobs for the homeless.
Hasina was the first prime minister to have a "Prime Minister's Question-Answer Time" in the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament). The Jatiya Sangsad removed the Indemnity Act, allowing those who killed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to be charged. The government also created a four-level system for local government.
The Hasina government allowed private companies to offer mobile phone services, which had been a government-only service. This led to lower prices and more people being able to use phones. The government also set up the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission to oversee the new telecommunications industry.
The government created the National Policy for Women's Advancement to ensure equality between men and women. This policy aimed to provide safety and jobs for women, create a skilled female workforce, stop discrimination and violence against women, and ensure women's participation in society and the economy. The government also added three reserved seats for women in local elections in December 1997. Hasina's cabinet approved a plan for children in 1999 to ensure their rights and better upbringing.
Hasina traveled to many international meetings and visited countries like the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Japan. Bangladesh joined two international groups: the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8). She became the first Bangladeshi prime minister since independence to complete a full five-year term.
In the 2001 general election, the AL won 62 seats in parliament, even though they received 40% of the public votes. The 'Four Party Alliance' led by BNP won 234 seats, giving them a large majority. Hasina herself ran in three areas, winning in two but losing in one. Hasina and the AL said the election was unfair. However, the international community was mostly satisfied with the elections, and the 'Four Party Alliance' formed the government.
Leader of the Opposition (2001–2008)
During this time, Awami League members of parliament did not attend parliament regularly. In late 2003, the Awami League started a major movement against the government.
Challenges and Arrest (2006–2008)
The time before the planned 22 January 2007 elections was full of political unrest. After Khaleda Zia's government ended in October 2006, there were protests and strikes. The caretaker government found it hard to get all parties to agree. The AL and its allies protested, saying the caretaker government favored the BNP.
The period was marked by violence and strikes. A presidential advisor tried to help Hasina and Khaleda Zia bring all parties to the planned elections. However, the nomination of a leader named Ershad was canceled because he had been found guilty in a case. As a result, the Grand Alliance withdrew its candidates. They demanded that a list of voters be published.
Later that month, President Iajuddin Ahmed had to declare a state of emergency. Then, Lt General Moeen Uddin Ahmed took control of the government. Political activities were stopped. Fakhruddin Ahmed became the chief advisor with the support of the Bangladesh Army.
In April 2007, the government stopped Hasina from returning to Bangladesh. They said she had made statements that could cause trouble. This was called a temporary measure. The Caretaker Government was also trying to get Khaleda Zia to leave the country. Hasina promised to return home. On 22 April 2007, a warrant was issued for her arrest. Hasina said the case against her was "totally false" and that she wanted to defend herself in court. On 23 April 2007, the arrest warrant was stopped, and on 25 April 2007, the ban on Hasina's entry was removed. After spending 51 days in the United States and the United Kingdom, Hasina returned to Dhaka on 7 May 2007. A crowd of thousands greeted her.
On 16 July 2007, Hasina was arrested by police at her home and taken to a court in Dhaka. She was accused of certain actions and was not given bail. She was held in a building used as a jail. The AL said the arrest was for political reasons. On 17 July 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission asked both Hasina and Khaleda Zia to provide details of their money and property. Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed was outside the country and said he would try to organize protests worldwide. These arrests were seen by many as a way for the military-backed government to make Hasina and Zia leave the country and stop their political work.
On 11 June 2008, Hasina was released for health reasons. The next day, she flew to the United States for medical treatment.
Second Time as Prime Minister (2009–2024)
Second Term (2009–2014)
On 6 November 2008, Hasina returned to Bangladesh to take part in the 2008 general election on 29 December. She decided to join the election as part of the "Grand Alliance" with the Jatiya Party. On 11 December 2008, Hasina shared her party's election promises, vowing to build a "Digital Bangladesh" by 2021.
Her party's promises included reducing price increases, fighting corruption, increasing power generation, helping the agriculture sector, improving governance, and prosecuting those involved in the 1971 war.
Her Awami League and the Grand Alliance won the 2008 general election with a large majority, taking 230 out of 299 seats. Khaleda Zia, leader of the BNP, said the election was unfair. Hasina became prime minister for a second time on 6 January 2009. Independent observers said the elections were peaceful.
After becoming prime minister, Hasina faced a big national crisis in the form of the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles revolt over a pay dispute. This resulted in many deaths, including army officers. Some army officers were upset that she did not act more quickly. However, others praised her for handling the situation carefully to prevent more violence. In 2011, the parliament removed a law that required a non-party caretaker government to hold elections. In 2012, she did not allow Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar to enter Bangladesh during the 2012 Rakhine State riots.
On 27 June 2013, a case was filed against Hasina and other Bangladeshi ministers at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged human rights violations. She has been "praised internationally" for achieving some of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. In 2012, a coup attempt against her by some army officers was stopped.
During this term, her government successfully formed the International Crimes Tribunal. This tribunal was set up to investigate and prosecute those involved in the Bangladesh Genocide during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
Third Term (2014–2019)
Hasina won a second term in a row with her Awami League and its allies in the 2014 general election. The main opposition parties boycotted the election due to concerns about fairness. As a result, the Awami League won many seats, with 153 of them having no opposing candidates. Hasina's Awami League had been running Bangladesh since 2009. One of the opposition parties accused them of using unfair methods.
The election was debated, with reports of violence and claims of pressure on the opposition. Because of the boycott and violence, fewer people voted than in previous elections. The day after the results, Hasina said that the boycott did not mean the election was not valid. Despite the debate, Hasina formed a government with Ershad's Jatiya Party as the official opposition.
This period also saw an increase in attacks by some groups in the country.
In March 2017, Bangladesh's first two submarines were put into service. In September 2017, Hasina's government gave shelter and help to about a million Rohingya refugees. She urged Myanmar to stop the violence against the Rohingya community. Most Bangladeshi people supported the government's decision to help the Rohingya. Hasina was praised for her actions.
Hasina supported calls to remove a Statue of Justice in front of the Supreme Court. This was seen as the government responding to pressure from groups who use religion for political reasons.
Hasina supports the Asian University for Women.
Fourth Term (2019–2024)
Hasina won her third term in a row, and fourth overall. Her Awami League won 288 of the 300 parliamentary seats. The leader of the main opposition, Kamal Hossain, said the vote was a "farce" and rejected the results. Before the election, some groups said the government created a difficult environment for the opposition. The New York Times said the election was not fair.
The BNP, the main opposition party, which had been out of power for 12 years and boycotted the 2014 election, did not do well. They won only eight seats.
In May 2021, Hasina gave the opening speech for a new headquarters for the Bangladesh Post Office, called the Dak Bhaban. She asked for more improvements to the postal service because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Plans included making the service more digital and building cooling units in postal warehouses to allow sending of perishable food by mail.
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In January 2022, the government passed a law to create the Universal Pension Scheme. All Bangladeshi citizens, including those living abroad, between 18 and 60 years old can receive a monthly payment under this plan.
By the end of the 2021–22 financial year, Bangladesh's external debt (money owed to other countries) had grown significantly. The period also saw some issues in the country's banking sector.
In July 2022, the Finance Ministry asked for financial help from the International Monetary Fund. The government said its foreign money reserves were decreasing due to global events. An agreement was reached in November 2022, and in January 2023, the IMF agreed to provide a support package of US$4.7 billion. The IMF stated this support would help keep the economy stable and support growth.
In December 2022, protests against the government started, linked to rising costs.
On 28 December, Hasina opened the first part of Dhaka Metro Rail, the country's first fast public transport system.
During the 2023 G20 New Delhi summit, Hasina met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They talked about working together more in areas like transport and trade. The summit also allowed Hasina to meet other world leaders and strengthen Bangladesh's ties with other countries.
Fifth Term (2024)
In January 2024, Hasina won her fourth term in a row. Her party, the Awami League, won 224 of the 300 parliamentary seats. This election had a low number of voters and was boycotted by the main opposition. She was sworn in on 11 January.
In May 2024, Sheikh Hasina claimed that a "white country" was trying to remove her government. She said she was offered trouble-free elections if she allowed a "white country" to build an airbase in Bangladesh. She also suggested there was a plan to create a Christian country similar to East Timor and Myanmar.
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In June 2024, Prime Minister Hasina visited India. In July 2024, she also visited China at the invitation of China's premier. These visits were seen as her efforts to improve relations with both China and India.
In the same month, protests started in support of changing the quota system for government jobs. Hasina made a comment about the protesters, which some interpreted as her calling them names. The protests later became violent, involving police, armed forces, and members of the Awami League and its youth groups. This led to many people being hurt. The government then shut down internet access for non-essential uses and imposed a curfew. The Supreme Court agreed to change the quota system. However, the protesters then demanded justice for those hurt during the demonstrations and an apology from Hasina. On 3 August, the protest organizers called for a non-cooperation movement, asking for Hasina and her government to resign.
Resignation and Departure from Bangladesh
Hasina resigned on 5 August 2024, as large crowds of protesters surrounded the prime minister's home. Her resignation was announced by General Waker-uz-Zaman, the Chief of the Army Staff. Later that day, Hasina left for India in a quick departure, first by car, then by helicopter, and finally by plane. She did not give a resignation speech.
Hasina reportedly flew in a Bangladesh Air Force transport plane to an air force base in India. She was met by the Indian national security advisor and other officials. India's foreign minister said she requested to come to India on very short notice. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, first said she would not return to politics but later stated that she and the Awami League would remain active in Bangladeshi politics. He also said she would return to the country once elections were announced. He insisted that Sheikh Hasina was still the prime minister, as she could not formally resign after being forced to leave. Hasina had hoped to go to London, but the United Kingdom reportedly did not agree to her request for political asylum. She was said to be considering living temporarily in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, or Qatar.
As of August 2024, Hasina was living in a secret location in India under tight security. Her son said that the protests that led to her resignation had support from a foreign intelligence agency, but he did not name any country. On 13 August, Hasina released her first confirmed statements since her departure. She called for an investigation into the deaths during the protests, while also saying that police and the Awami League were victims of "terrorist aggression."
After Being Prime Minister
As of September 2024, Hasina is facing a number of legal cases. The Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal started an investigation into charges against her and other former government officials related to the crackdown on protests. The BNP party has asked India to send Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh for these cases.
On 21 August, the new government ordered that all diplomatic passports, including Hasina's, be canceled. On 29 August, the government removed a law that gave special benefits to the Sheikh–Wazed family, including Sheikh Hasina. On 17 October, the International Crimes Tribunal issued an arrest warrant for her. On 5 December, the tribunal banned her speeches and related broadcasts from being shown in Bangladesh.
In December 2024, the Bangladeshi government began an investigation against Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and her niece, Tulip Siddiq. This investigation is about claims of misuse of funds for a power plant project. On 24 December, the Bangladeshi government formally asked the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to send Hasina back to Bangladesh.
Electoral History
| Year | Constituency | Party | Votes | % | Result | |
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| 1991 | Dhaka-7 | Awami League | 49,362 | 36.5 | Lost | |
| Dhaka-10 | 29,451 | 37.8 | Lost | |||
| Gopalganj-3 | 67,945 | 72.2 | Won | |||
| June 1996 | Bagerhat-1 | 77,342 | 51.4 | Won | ||
| Khulna-1 | 62,247 | 53.5 | Won | |||
| Gopalganj-3 | 102,689 | 92.2 | Won | |||
| 2001 | Rangpur-6 | 77,991 | 44.6 | Lost | ||
| Gopalganj-3 | 154,130 | 94.7 | Won | |||
| Narail-1 | 78,216 | 54.6 | Won | |||
| Narail-2 | 97,195 | 50.3 | Won | |||
| 2008 | Rangpur-6 | 170,542 | 80.0 | Won | ||
| Bagerhat-1 | 142,979 | 68.3 | Won | |||
| Gopalganj-3 | 158,958 | 97.1 | Won | |||
Personal Life
In 1968, Hasina married M. A. Wazed Miah (1942–2009), a Bangladeshi physicist and writer. They have a son, Sajeeb Wazed, and a daughter, Saima Wazed. Saima's father-in-law was a former government minister. Hasina's only living sibling, Sheikh Rehana, served as an adviser for a local political unit in 2017. Hasina's niece (and Sheikh Rehana's daughter) is Tulip Siddiq, a British politician and Member of Parliament.
During her political career, Sheikh Hasina has survived several attempts on her life. She has some hearing impairment from injuries received during a 2004 attack. Because of the violent history involving her family, she and her children were given lifelong protection by the government of Bangladesh in 2015. This kind of security is common for people facing high risks to their lives. The government also announced free utility services for her and her family for life. However, the new government decided to cancel this law in September 2024.
Honours and Awards
Honorary Doctorates
- Degree of Doctor of Law by the Boston University on 6 February 1997.
- Honorary Doctor of Law by the Waseda University of Japan on 4 July 1997.
- Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Liberal Arts by the University of Abertay Dundee on 25 October 1997.
- Honorary Degree of 'Desikottama' (Doctor of Literature, honoris causa) by the Visva-Bharati University of India on 28 January 1999.
- Doctor of Law (honoris causa), by the Australian National University on 20 October 1999.
- Honorary Doctor of Law by the University of Dhaka on 18 December 1999.
- Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by University of Bridgeport on 5 September 2000.
- Doctor of Literature (honoris causa) by the Tripura University in January 2012.
- Doctor of the University (Honorary) by the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University on 16 November 2015.
- Doctor of Letters (Honorary) by the Kazi Nazrul University, West Bengal, India on 26 May 2018.
Awards
- Foreign Policy magazine named her as one of the world's leading global thinkers in 2019.
- Planet 50–50 champion by UN Women.
- Agent of Change Award by Global Partnership Forum.
- Included on the Time 100 list in 2018.
- 59th place on Forbes' list of 100 most powerful women in the world.
- The Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize by the UNESCO for 1998.
- Mother Teresa Award by the All India Peace Council in 1998.
- M.K. Gandhi Award for 1998 by the Mahatma M K Gandhi Foundation of Oslo, Norway.
- Awarded Medal of Distinction in 1996–97 and 1998–99 and Head of State Medal in 1996–97 by the Lions Clubs International.
- The Ceres Medal by the Food and Agriculture Organization for 1999.
- The Pearl S. Buck Award by the Randolph College on 9 April 2000.
- Named Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation.
- Indira Gandhi Prize for 2009.
- UNESCO Peace Tree award for her commitment to women's empowerment and girl's education in 2014.
- UN environment prize for leadership on climate change.
- Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award (Champions of the Earth) in 2015.
Images for kids
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Sheikh Hasina's signature
See also
In Spanish: Sheikh Hasina para niños
