# Husne Ara Kamal

Husne Ara Kamal (Bengali: হোসনে আরা কামাল; 20 December 1934 – 16 April 2009) was a Bangladeshi academic, philanthropist, and social worker who made significant contributions to social welfare and women's empowerment in Bangladesh throughout her career. She worked as a lecturer and later became the director and a professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Kamal was also an accomplished author and published several books on women and gender issues, as well as books for children.

## Early life and education

Husne Ara was born on 20 December 1934, in Rajshahi district, to Md. Hafizur Rahman and Anwara Begum. She was an accomplished academic, earning post-graduate degrees from Dhaka University, Bedford College, and a master's degree in social science from Columbia University in the US in 1979.

## Career

Kamal started her career as a lecturer at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, formerly known as Social Welfare College, of Dhaka University in 1960. During this time, she was also the principal of Purana Paltan Girls' College in Dhaka. By 1966, Kamal had earned a reputation for her writings on children's literature.
After the independence of Bangladesh, she focused on women's empowerment, publishing several books on the topic, including Women in Distress and Women in Charge of Household. Kamal became increasingly concerned about the impact of overpopulation on the country. She wrote Family Life Education as a Factor in Promoting Family including Family Planning in which she detailed steps in educating women and dealing with the sociological aspects of this subject.
In 1991, she was appointed as the director of the institute and was promoted to the rank of professor in 1994. She retired from her position in 2001.

## Philanthropy

Kamal was involved in philanthropy, often donating anonymously. She was an advocate for women's rights and dedicated much of her life to improving the status of women and children in Bangladesh. She worked to establish programs that provided education and job training for women, advocated for laws that protected women from violence and discrimination, and supported organizations that provided social services to women and children in need. She supported various social service organizations and NGOs such as Palli Shishu Foundation of Bangladesh (PSF), B.M.N., Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Women for Women, Women's Voluntary Association (WVA), Mental Health Association, and The Hunger Project. In 2006, she publicly donated Tk 15 lakh to Dhaka Ahsania Mission.

## Awards

In recognition of her services, she was awarded the 'Ratnagarva Ma' award in September 2004.

## Personal life

Kamal married Chief Justice Mustafa Kamal, son of Abbasuddin Ahmed, on 14 December 1956. She had three daughters, Nashid Kamal, Naeela K Sattar, and Nazeefa Monem. Ismail Sattar, son of M. A. Sattar and ASM Mainuddin Monem, son of Abdul Monem are her son-in-laws. Her granddaughter, Armeen Musa is a Grammy nominated singer-songwriter and composer.

## Death

Kamal died on 16 April 2009, as a result of a heart attack. She had been battling heart disease for some time prior to her passing. She is survived by her husband, three daughters, and seven grandchildren. Throughout her life, Kamal dedicated herself to serving society, leaving behind a legacy that inspires many.