Saima Wazed
{{Short description|Bangladeshi psychologist}}
{{Update|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Saima Wazed
| native_name = সায়মা ওয়াজেদ
| image =
| caption = Wazed in 2024
| native_name_lang = bengali
| other_names = Putul
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|12|9|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Dhaka, Bangladesh
| father = Wazed Miah
| mother = Sheikh Hasina
| relatives = Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib (Grandmother)
Sajeeb Wazed (brother)
Khandker Mosharraf Hossain (father-in-law)
Khandaker Nurul Islam (grandfather-in-law)
| family = See Tungipara Sheikh family
| alma_mater = Barry University
| spouse = Khandker Mashroor Hossain
| children = 4
| occupation = Regional Director,South East Asia, WHO
}}
Saima Wazed ({{Langx|bn|সায়মা ওয়াজেদ}}; born 9 December 1972),{{Cite news |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/home/printnews/61747 |title=Sheikh Hasina's 70th birthday today |work=The Independent |location=Dhaka |access-date=20 April 2018 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417120602/https://www.theindependentbd.com/home/printnews/61747 |url-status=live }} also known as Putul ({{Langx|bn|পুতুল}}), is the daughter of Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.{{Cite web |title=Despite Nepotism Charges, Bangladeshi PM's Daughter Wins WHO South East Office Election |url=https://thewire.in/health/despite-nepotism-charges-bangladeshi-pms-daughter-wins-who-south-east-office-election |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=The Wire}} She is serving as the South East Asian regional director for the World Health Organization since November 1, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Ms Saima Wazed takes charge as Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia |url=https://www.who.int/southeastasia/news/detail/01-02-2024-ms-saima-wazed-takes-charge--as-regional-director--who-south-east-asia |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=www.who.int |language=en}}
Early life and education
Wazed was born to Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh, and M. A. Wazed Miah, a nuclear scientist.{{cite news|title=Autism campaigner Putul listens to the troubles of people with disabilities, stresses on inclusive development|url=http://bdnews24.com/health/2015/08/09/autism-campaigner-putul-listens-to-the-troubles-of-people-with-disabilities-stresses-on-inclusive-development|work=bdnews24.com|accessdate=11 February 2016|archive-date=16 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216070309/http://bdnews24.com/health/2015/08/09/autism-campaigner-putul-listens-to-the-troubles-of-people-with-disabilities-stresses-on-inclusive-development|url-status=live}} Her brother is Sajeeb Wazed Joy.{{cite news|title=India to give Bangladesh $1bn line of credit|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-to-give-Bangladesh-1bn-line-of-credit/articleshow/5434965.cms|work=The Times of India|accessdate=11 February 2016|archive-date=23 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523133635/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-to-give-Bangladesh-1bn-line-of-credit/articleshow/5434965.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite book|title=Bangladesh Country Study Guide Strategic Information and Developments.|date=2012|publisher=Intl Business Pubns USA|isbn=978-1438773896|pages=125}} She graduated from Barry University.{{cite news|title=Saima Wazed Putul gets Distinguished Alumni award from Barry University|url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/02/26/saima-wazed-putul-gets-distinguished-alumni-award-from-barry-university|work=bdnews24.com|accessdate=11 February 2016|archive-date=16 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216005644/http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/02/26/saima-wazed-putul-gets-distinguished-alumni-award-from-barry-university|url-status=live}} She is a licensed school psychologist.{{cite news|last1=Islam Hasib|first1=Nurul|title=Disability campaigner Putul congratulates Bangladesh team, says they make nation proud|url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/09/02/disability-campaigner-putul-congratulates-bangladesh-team-says-they-make-nation-proud|work=bdnews24.com|accessdate=11 February 2016|archive-date=16 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216025415/http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/09/02/disability-campaigner-putul-congratulates-bangladesh-team-says-they-make-nation-proud|url-status=live}}
Career
File:Sheikh Hasina with Obamas.jpg, Sheikh Hasina and Barack Obama in New York, September 2009]]
Wazed organized the first South Asian conference on Autism in 2011 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.{{cite news|title=Saima Wazed Hossain says autism campaign will not lose steam|url=http://bdnews24.com/health/2015/08/17/saima-wazed-hossain-says-autism-campaign-will-not-lose-steam|work=bdnews24.com|accessdate=11 February 2016|archive-date=15 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215193059/http://bdnews24.com/health/2015/08/17/saima-wazed-hossain-says-autism-campaign-will-not-lose-steam|url-status=live}} She is the chairperson of National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental disorders.{{cite news|title=Saima Wazed: Comprehensive approach required for disability issues|url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/aug/29/saima-wazed-comprehensive-approach-required-disability-issues|work=Dhaka Tribune|accessdate=11 February 2016|archive-date=15 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215233546/http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/aug/29/saima-wazed-comprehensive-approach-required-disability-issues|url-status=live}} She campaigned for “Comprehensive and Coordinated Efforts for the Management of Autism Spectrum Disorders” resolution at the World Health Assembly which adopted the resolution, Autism Speaks praised her for spearheading "a truly global push for support for this resolution".{{cite web|title=Resolution brings formal commitment to action on developmental disabilities by more than 50 countries|url=https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/who-adopts-autism-resolution|website=autismspeaks.org|accessdate=11 February 2016|archive-date=25 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625185137/https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/who-adopts-autism-resolution|url-status=live}} She had been drafted as a global autism advocate of World Health Organization's (WHO) 25-member Expert Advisory Panel on mental health for 4 years in 2014.{{cite news|last1=Hossain Shaikh|first1=Emran|title=Putul made WHO adviser|url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/politics/2014/jun/03/putul-made-who-adviser|work=Dhaka Tribune|accessdate=11 February 2016|archive-date=15 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215233730/http://www.dhakatribune.com/politics/2014/jun/03/putul-made-who-adviser|url-status=live}}
In November, 2016, Wazed had been elected as chairperson of International Jury Board meeting of UNESCO for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/country/saima-wazed-elected-unescos-jury-board-chief-1312591|title=Saima Wazed elected chairperson of International Jury Board meeting of UNESCO|work=The Daily Star|accessdate=28 July 2017|date=10 November 2016|archive-date=17 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617061545/http://www.thedailystar.net/country/saima-wazed-elected-unescos-jury-board-chief-1312591|url-status=live}}
In April 2017, Wazed was designated as WHO Champion for Autism” in South-East Asia.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2017/04/02/saima-wazed-new-champion-autism/ |title=Saima Wazed new WHO champion for autism - Dhakatribune |work=Dhaka Tribune |date=2 April 2017 |access-date=2017-07-27 |archive-date=2017-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730122157/http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2017/04/02/saima-wazed-new-champion-autism/ |url-status=live }} In July, 2017 she became the WHO’s goodwill ambassador for autism in the South-East Asia Region.{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/country/saima-wazed-hossain-putul-made-world%20health-organisation-who-goodwill-ambassador-for-autism-1429174|title=Saima Wazed made WHO goodwill ambassador for autism|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2017-07-12|archive-date=2023-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207235742/https://www.thedailystar.net/country/saima-wazed-hossain-putul-made-world%20health-organisation-who-goodwill-ambassador-for-autism-1429174|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/07/07/76160/WHO-appoints-Saima-Wazed-as-Goodwill-Ambassador|title=WHO appoints Saima Wazed as Goodwill Ambassador|work=The Financial Express (Bangladesh)|accessdate=26 July 2017|archive-date=30 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730114954/http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/07/07/76160/WHO-appoints-Saima-Wazed-as-Goodwill-Ambassador|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.india.com/news/agencies/hossain-made-who-goodwill-ambassador-for-autism-in-south-asia-2310008/|title=Hossain made WHO goodwill ambassador for autism in South Asia|date=10 July 2017|accessdate=30 July 2017|publisher=India Today|archive-date=30 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730124414/http://www.india.com/news/agencies/hossain-made-who-goodwill-ambassador-for-autism-in-south-asia-2310008/|url-status=live}}
Since 2022, Wazed has been a member of the Commission for Universal Health convened by Chatham House and co-chaired by Helen Clark and Jakaya Kikwete.[https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-departments/global-health-programme/commission-universal-health Commission for Universal Health] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624151657/https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-departments/global-health-programme/commission-universal-health |date=2022-06-24 }} Chatham House.
On 24 September 2024, she attended the 79th. United Nations General Assembly, New York, and made a speech about improving the global inefficiencies as Emergency, Conflict and Climate Crisis Situations and their physical and psychological impacts on adults and children.{{Cite web |date=25 September 2024 |title=Emergency, Conflict and Climate Crisis Situations |url=https://www.who.int/southeastasia/news/speeches/detail/who-searo-regional-director-s-inputs-during-panel-discussion-investing-in-early-years-in-emergency-and-crisis-context-during-unga79-new-york |website=World Health Organization}}
In 2025, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (Bangladesh) has filed two cases against Wazed alleging she falsified her academic credentials to secure her position and misused her influence to obtain approximately $2.8 million from banks for the Shuchona Foundation, which she previously led. These allegations follow earlier claims that her mother, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, improperly influenced Wazed's 2023 election to the WHO role.{{cite web | url=https://healthpolicy-watch.news/who-regional-director-saima-wazed-accused-of-fraud-and-forgery-in-her-election-campaign/ | title=WHO Regional Director Saima Wazed Accused of Fraud and Forgery by Bangladesh Authorities - Health Policy Watch | date=22 March 2025 }}
In April 2025, Wazed's flat in Gulshan was seized by the Anti-Corruption Commission.{{Cite web |last= |title=Court orders seizure of Saima Wazed's Gulshan flat |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/be15238b1569 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Bdnews24.com |language=en}}
Awards
In 2016, Wazed was conferred World Health Organization's South-East Asia Region Award for Excellence in Public Health.{{cite news|title=Saima Wazed wins WHO award|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/saima-wazed-wins-who-award-40748|work=The Daily Star|accessdate=11 February 2016|archive-date=15 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215123053/http://www.thedailystar.net/saima-wazed-wins-who-award-40748|url-status=live}} In 2017, she was awarded the International Champion Award for her outstanding contribution to the field of autism. She received a distinguished alumni award from Barry University for her activism.{{Cite web |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/country/prime-minister-sheikh-hasina-daughter-saima-wazed-international-champion-award-fighting-autism-new-york-un-1438948 |title=Saima Wazed awarded for fighting autism - The Daily Star |date=26 July 2017 |access-date=2017-07-26 |archive-date=2017-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726074508/http://www.thedailystar.net/country/prime-minister-sheikh-hasina-daughter-saima-wazed-international-champion-award-fighting-autism-new-york-un-1438948 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://m.bdnews24.com/en/detail/bangladesh/1369951 |title=Saima received International Champion award for work on autism in South-East-Asia - bdnews24.com |access-date=2017-07-26 |archive-date=2017-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109191457/https://m.bdnews24.com/en/detail/bangladesh/1369951 |url-status=live }}
Personal life
Wazed was married to Khandakar Masrur Hossain Mitu, son of Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.{{cite web|title=Son's & Daughters of Bangladeshi Political Leaders|url=http://parisvisionnews.com/articles/5732-sons-a-daughters-of-bangladeshi-political-leaders.html|website=parisvisionnews.com|accessdate=11 February 2016|archive-date=11 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211000308/http://parisvisionnews.com/articles/5732-sons-a-daughters-of-bangladeshi-political-leaders.html|url-status=live}} The couple have four children.{{cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/saima_wazed_hossain_bio_en.pdf|title=Saima Wazed Hossain bio|publisher=UNESCO|accessdate=26 July 2017|archive-date=7 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207235714/https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/saima_wazed_hossain_bio_en.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://m.bdnews24.com/en/detail/bangladesh/205607|title=Hasina's daughter Putul gives birth to daughter|work=Bdnews24.com|access-date=2017-08-03|archive-date=2018-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628015623/https://m.bdnews24.com/en/detail/bangladesh/205607|url-status=dead}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{commons-inline}}
{{Sheikh Mujibur Rahman}}
{{Sheikh Hasina}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wazed, Saima}}
Category:Bangladeshi psychologists
Category:Bangladeshi women psychologists
Category:Barry University alumni
Category:World Health Organization officials
Category:Tungipara Sheikh family
Category:Bangladeshi health activists