The BBC has revealed its list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2024. This year’s list highlights resilience and innovation amid global challenges, celebrating women who are pushing boundaries and leading change in diverse fields. It also underscores the ongoing impact of the climate emergency, featuring pioneers tackling its effects in their communities.
Here are the remarkable South Asian ‘Desi‘ women who made it to the list:
Names are listed in no particular order.
Aruna Roy, India
Social Activist
Aruna Roy, a tireless advocate for the rights of India’s poor, left her civil service career to work closely with rural communities.
As co-founder of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), she championed transparency and fair wages, playing a pivotal role in the 2005 Right to Information Act, empowering citizens to hold the government accountable.
With over four decades of grassroots activism, Roy has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award. She also serves as president of the National Federation of Indian Women and recently released her memoir, The Personal is Political.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Pakistan
Medical Doctor and Human Rights Activist
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a medical doctor turned activist, leads the fight against enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Her activism began after her father was allegedly abducted and killed by security forces in 2009.
In 2023, she led a 1,000-mile march to Islamabad, demanding justice for missing persons, despite being arrested twice. Now heading the Baloch Yakjehti (Unity) Committee (BYC), Mahrang’s work earned her a spot on the TIME100 Next 2024 list of emerging leaders.
Her efforts shine a light on human rights abuses in Balochistan, a region plagued by a nationalist insurgency, despite government denials of wrongdoing.
Pooja Sharma, India
Performer of Funerary Rites
For three years, Pooja Sharma has been conducting last rites for unclaimed bodies in Delhi, driven by personal loss after performing her brother’s funeral when no one else stepped forward.
Defying traditional gender roles in Hinduism, Sharma faced resistance from priests and her community.
Undeterred, she has conducted over 4,000 funerals across various faiths, advocating for dignity in death for all. Through social media, she raises awareness and inspires others to challenge societal norms and uphold humanity.
Hamida Aman, Afghanistan
Media and Education Entrepreneur
In response to the Taliban’s ban on girls’ secondary education, Hamida Aman founded Begum Academy, a free online platform offering multimedia courses for Afghan students unable to attend school. Over the past year, the platform has delivered more than 8,500 video lessons in Dari and Pashto, covering grades 7 to 12. In March, Aman expanded her efforts by launching Begum TV, a satellite channel broadcasting these courses.
This initiative builds on her earlier project, Radio Begum, a women-led station created after the Taliban’s 2021 takeover to amplify women’s voices and promote education.
Shilshila Acharya, Nepal
Sustainability Entrepreneur
Shilshila Acharya leads one of Nepal’s largest plastic recycling networks through her business, Avni Ventures, which employs people from marginalized communities and promotes women’s involvement in the green sector. She was instrumental in the 2014 “No Thanks, I Carry My Own Bag” campaign, which successfully led to a nationwide ban on plastic shopping bags.
Acharya also spearheads an annual Himalayan clean-up effort, removing 119 tonnes of waste left by mountaineers since 2019. Much of this waste is repurposed by indigenous craftswomen into items like baskets, mats, and jewelry, providing sustainable livelihoods while reducing environmental impact.
Elaha Soroor, Afghanistan
Singer and Composer
In a time when Afghan women’s voices are being silenced, Elaha Soroor crafted the powerful anthem Naan, Kar, Azadi! (Bread, Work, Freedom!), delivering a message of hope and defiance. The song premiered in October at the groundbreaking All Afghan Women Summit in Albania. An award-winning artist with a career spanning film, theatre, and music, Soroor has consistently used her platform to advocate for women’s rights.
As a member of the Hazara ethnic minority, she first gained fame on Afghan Star in 2009 but faced violent backlash for her musical aspirations, prompting her to leave Afghanistan in 2010.
Zakia Khudadadi, Afghanistan
Taekwondo Paralympian
Zakia Khudadadi made history at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games as the first member of the Paralympic Refugee Team to win a medal.
Born without one forearm, Khudadadi began secretly training in taekwondo at age 11 in a hidden gym in Herat, Afghanistan. Despite the challenges, her perseverance paid off.
Initially barred from competing at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics after the Taliban’s return to power, Khudadadi was evacuated to safety through the intervention of the International Paralympic Committee and support from France. She became the first Afghan sportswoman to compete internationally under Taliban rule, inspiring countless others.
Rikta Akter Banu, Bangladesh
Nurse and School Founder
In a remote part of northern Bangladesh, where having an autistic or disabled child is often stigmatized, nurse Rikta Akter Banu took matters into her own hands.
After her own daughter, who has autism and cerebral palsy, was denied admission to the local school, Banu sold her land and built a school to provide a better future for children like hers.
The Rikta Akter Banu Learning Disability School now serves 300 students and has been a catalyst for changing community attitudes toward disability. Originally created to support children with autism and learning disabilities, the school now welcomes students with a range of intellectual and physical challenges.
Vinesh Phogat, India
Wrestler
Vinesh Phogat, a three-time Olympian, is one of India’s most accomplished wrestlers and a staunch advocate for women’s rights in sports. With medals in World Championships, the Commonwealth Games, and the Asian Games, she has made a lasting impact on Indian wrestling.
This year, Phogat made history as the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final, though her dreams were dashed when she was disqualified after failing the weigh-in. Following this setback, she retired from sports and transitioned into politics.
Sunita Williams, US
Astronaut
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams was initially set for an eight-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) when she boarded the Boeing Starliner spacecraft on June 5.
However, due to technical issues, her mission has been extended, and she and her colleague, Barry Wilmore, now won’t return to Earth until February 2025. A retired Navy helicopter pilot and former record-holder for the most spacewalks by a woman, Williams made history in 2007 as the first person to run a marathon in space. Despite being 250 miles above Earth, Williams remains resilient and positive, referring to the spacecraft as her “happy place.
Hadiqa Kiani, Pakistan
Singer, Songwriter, and Humanitarian
Hadiqa Kiani is a celebrated Pakistani singer, songwriter, and one of the country’s most iconic musical figures, known for her versatile voice and significant contributions to both music and humanitarian causes. Rising to fame in the 1990s, she became a pioneering force in the South Asian female pop music scene, with hits that resonate across generations. Beyond her music, Kiani is a UN Development Programme goodwill ambassador, using her platform to support various social causes.
Her enduring commitment to both music and philanthropy has made her a beloved figure in Pakistan and internationally.
Sneha Revanur, US
AI Expert and Advocate
At just 20 years old, Sneha Revanur is already making waves in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). She is the founder of Encode Justice, a global youth movement focused on promoting safe and equitable AI, with over 1,300 members across 30 countries.
Currently a student at Stanford University and a summer fellow at the Center for AI and Digital Policy, Revanur is shaping the future of AI ethics. In recognition of her efforts, she was recently named the youngest individual on TIME magazine’s inaugural list of the 100 most influential voices in AI.
About the Author
Indian American Dr. Shabana Parvez, MD FACEP, is the founder of Arlington Integrative Medical Center and a distinguished leader in the field, holding board certifications in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. She is the U.S. Bureau Chief for The Desi Buzz, GCCStartup.News, and Startup Berita, where she contributes her insights on healthcare and innovation. As a committed member of the Academy of Integrative and Holistic Medicine, Dr. Parvez is also pursuing a Diploma in Naturopathic Medicine from the College of Medicine and Healing Arts in Leicester, UK. Certified in contemporary cupping skills, Hijama therapy, and leech therapy, she combines traditional healing techniques with modern medicine. Dr. Parvez is fluent in Spanish, French, Urdu, Hindi, and Arabic, enabling her to connect with patients from diverse backgrounds. A passionate foodie, she enjoys creating recipes, experimenting with recipe hacks, and finding ways to make meals healthier and more delicious.
