Husne Ara Kamal ( (20 December 1934 - 16 April 2009), was a Bangladeshi academician, 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.

Bibliography
Kamal was an accomplished author and published several books on women and gender issues. She has also written many books for children.

পাখীরা ঘরে ফিরবেই (The birds will return home)
দায়িত্ব দুঃস্থ নারী (Women in distress)
বৃক্ষ তোমাকে ভালোবাসি
পরিবারের একক দায়িত্ব দুঃস্থ নারী জীবন ও সংগ্রাম / Paribarer Akok Daittee Nari " (1989) (Women in Charge of Household) 
দুত্তোর রাজা মশাই
ছড়ায় পড়া
Ivur jonne Chhora
Fuljhuri
Women Separated, Divorced and Windowed

Papers

Notes

References

Further reading
Annual Report - Family Planning Association of Pakistan. (1971). Pakistan: Family Planning Association of Pakistan.
Role of Women in Socio-economic Development in Bangladesh. (1977). Bangladesh: Bangladesh Economic Association : distributors, Bangladesh Books International.
বানালা সাহিত্যে লেখিকাদের আবদান. (1987). Bangladesh: Muktadhārā.
M. I. (1994). Whither Women Studies in Bangladesh. Bangladesh: Women for Women.
এই আছি এই নাই (Ei Achi Ei Nai). (2013). Collection of articles. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Probe Publications.

External links
হোসনে আরা কামাল at BoiBazar.com
Hosne Ara Kamal at Rokomari

1934 births
2009 deaths
University of Dhaka alumni
Academic staff of the University of Dhaka
Bangladeshi women academics
Bangladeshi women writers
Bangladeshi feminists
Bangladeshi women's rights activists
Bangladeshi writers
Bangladeshi academic administrators
Bangladeshi women scholars
Bangladeshi human rights activists
Bengali Muslims
Bengali writers
Women school principals and headteachers
Women human rights activists
20th-century Bengalis
21st-century Bengalis
Alumni of Bedford College, London
Columbia University alumni