Farida Akhtar

Bangladeshi social entrepreneur and educator who pioneered adult literacy programs for women in rural areas.

Farida Akhtar is a Bangladeshi social entrepreneur and educator celebrated for her innovative approach to adult literacy and women’s empowerment. Born in 1950 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, she witnessed the challenges faced by rural women, who often lacked access to education and economic opportunities. This inspired her to found the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC)’s literacy program in the 1970s, later becoming its director.

Akhtar’s Non-Formal Primary Education (NFPE) initiative, launched in 1978, transformed the lives of millions of women and girls. The program used mobile classrooms and trained local female teachers to educate rural women in basic literacy and numeracy. By 1995, it had enrolled over 1.5 million students, making it one of the largest adult education programs globally.

Her work extended beyond literacy to economic empowerment. Akhtar introduced microfinance and vocational training modules, enabling women to start small businesses. The NFPE model became a blueprint for similar programs worldwide, including in India and Pakistan. In 2000, she co-authored the UNESCO Literacy Decade Action Plan, influencing global education policies.

Akhtar’s advocacy also addressed cultural barriers. She trained male community leaders to support women’s education, fostering gender equality in traditionally conservative regions. Her efforts contributed to Bangladesh’s reduction in female illiteracy from 75% in the 1970s to under 30% today.

In 2010, she established the Farida Akhtar Foundation, focusing on girls’ education and health. She has been honored with the Right Livelihood Award (2003) and the Nobel Peace Prize (shared with BRAC in 2006). Her legacy continues to inspire grassroots movements for education equity.