Rumana Monzur is an assistant professor of
Dhaka University
The University of Dhaka (), also known as Dhaka University (DU), is a public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Established in 1921, it is the oldest active university in the country.
The University of Dhaka was founded in 1921 ...
, a
Fulbright
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright–Hays Program, is one of several United States cultural exchange programs with the goal of improving intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy, and intercultural competence between the people ...
scholar and a graduate student in
political science
Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and Power (social and political), power, and the analysis of political activities, political philosophy, political thought, polit ...
from
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a Public university, public research university with campuses near University of British Columbia Vancouver, Vancouver and University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, in British Columbia, Canada ...
. In June 2011, she was brutally attacked and blinded by her husband at the time
Hasan Sayeed Sumon during a visit to her home country
Bangladesh
Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, eighth-most populous country in the world and among the List of countries and dependencies by ...
. Her husband assaulted her because she wanted to continue higher education in Canada against his wishes. He justified this assault to the Bangladeshi media by alleging that Rumana had been unfaithful. Her case caught widespread media attention around the world due to ongoing domestic violence against women in
Bangladesh
Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, eighth-most populous country in the world and among the List of countries and dependencies by ...
and violation of the fundamental right of education. Rumana returned to
Vancouver
Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the cit ...
in July 2011 for further treatment but surgeries in both her eyes were unsuccessful, leaving not much hope for her to see ever again. Rumana's ex-husband died in prison in December 2011.
She, nevertheless, continued her studies and in 2017 she received a degree in law from
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a Public university, public research university with campuses near University of British Columbia Vancouver, Vancouver and University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, in British Columbia, Canada ...
,
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...
. She has now an advisory job at the
Department of Justice Canada in
Vancouver
Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the cit ...
.
References
External links
Blinded student returns to UBC for treatment'I screamed, 'Save me, save her,' blinded UBC student recounts
* ttp://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=194596 Rumana won't see, ever
{{DEFAULTSORT:Monzur, Rumana
Living people
Violence against women in Bangladesh
Year of birth missing (living people)
University of British Columbia alumni
Blind scholars and academics
Blind lawyers
Bangladeshi people with disabilities