Bangladeshi woman wins ‘120 Under 40’ award

Bangladeshi Ishrat Naher Erina has become one of 40 winners of “120 Under 40: The New Generation of Family Planning Leaders” award of Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Erina founded Prescription, first ever platform to address taboos around Sex Education in 15 rural villages of northern Bangladesh. Erina educates youths about reproductive health, abortions & family planning to benefit over 17000 people. “It's an immense pleasure to let everyone know that I've become one of the winners at #120 under 40, a family planning initiative taken by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Bill & Melinda Gates Institute in USA,” Ishrat Naher Erina said in a Facebook post after the announcement.

Announcing the 2017 winners of 120 Under 40, who are creating positive disruptions worldwide! View the full list: https://t.co/G364pg2YYM

— 120 Under 40 (@120Under40) September 12, 2017

“Not to mention, this achievement of Bangladesh in New Generation of Family Planning program again proves the credibility of youth voices and necessity of making it count. We, the Bangladeshi, always have been showing our unity from stormy night to whenever we need .And voting for Bangladesh and making Bangladesh the winner is an example of that. You people are the integral part of this glorious Joy in world's map. “Last but not the least, I'm so very much thankful to everyone who have voted me and supported me unconditionally throughout the journey. Don't forget to keep me in your prayers,” she added in her social media post. The winners for 2017 were chosen through public online voting, scoring by a jury of experts and leaders in family planning, and the project secretariat. The winners each will receive $1,000 from the Gates Institute to continue their projects.