Taslima Akhter is contesting the 13th National Election from Dhaka-12 as a candidate of Ganasamhati Andolon (GSA) with the symbol “Mathal,” a traditional head covering worn by farmers for protection from the sun. The constituency includes Wards 24–27, 35, and 36 of Dhaka North City Corporation, covering areas such as Tejgaon, Karwan Bazar, and Magbazar. She is the third woman in Bangladesh’s history to contest this seat; previous women candidates were Baharana Sultan Bahar (Biplobi Workers Party, 2008) and Lina Chakraborty (Communist Party of Bangladesh, 2001).
Taslima studied Public Administration at Dhaka University and Photography at Pathshala, South Asian Media Institute. She is a former president of the Bangladesh Students’ Federation and currently president of Bangladesh Garment Workers Solidarity. As a photojournalist, she has documented the lives of workers in Bangladesh, notably the Tajreen Fashion Fire and the Rana Plaza disaster. Her internationally recognized photograph “Last Embrace” brought global attention to garment workers’ safety and contributed to international pressure for safer working conditions.
She has long worked alongside garment workers and advocated for their rights. Her 12-point manifesto focuses on civic needs including gas, water, electricity, drainage, breaking market syndicates, public washrooms for women and persons with disabilities, and addressing corruption, drugs, and extortion in the area.
She emphasizes women’s safety, equal pay, and functioning committees against sexual violence. From her labour organizing background, she calls for a National Wage Commission and dignified living conditions for workers. A key proposal is forming a citizen council to ensure public accountability of elected representatives.
This profile is part of an ongoing documentation series on women contesting the 13th National Election.
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 