Anowara Begum started her career as a social worker engaged for achieving women and child rights in South-East Bangladesh. She is the founder and executive director of the NGO N.Z. Ekata Mohila Samiti which strives to uplift the socio-economic status of marginalized communities in Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT), a region characterized by a unique topography and high levels of poverty.
Anowara has dedicated over two decades to promoting nutrition, agricultural development, water and sanitation, biodiversity management and disaster management in CHT. Anowara’s leadership has focused on emergency food assistance, landslide, flash flood recovery, and sustaining community health services in remote hilly areas. Anowara has also provided legal assistance to women victims of violence and raised awareness of their rights. Her work has contributed to promoting gender equality and peace in the CHT region through implementing initiatives such as the “For the Women by the Women” project, which established a strong women’s network and increased women’s income through building an agro-based resource center. This project improved food security and motivated women to take on leadership roles in their communities, thus fostering a culture of self-reliance and resilience.