Dr. Zohra Begum Kazi (1912-2007) was a pioneering physician and social worker, widely regarded as the first Bengali Muslim woman to earn an MBBS degree in undivided India. Her life’s work extended beyond medicine, establishing her as a trailblazer who dedicated her career to public health and the empowerment of women.
Born in 1912 in the village of Rajshahi, then part of British India, Zohra Begum Kazi belonged to an esteemed family of a distinguished Bengali scholar and intellectual, Dr. Kazi Abdus Sattar. Her father’s progressive outlook on female education played a crucial role in shaping her future. She was a brilliant student from a young age, displaying an aptitude for science and learning. In 1928, she achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Muslim woman from Bengal to pass the Matriculation Examination.
Motivated by a passion for medicine, she pursued her higher education at the Lady Hardinge Medical College for Women in Delhi, one of the premier institutions for female medical students in the subcontinent. She successfully graduated with her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree in 1935, a monumental achievement that broke barriers for Muslim women aspiring to enter the medical profession.
Upon graduating, Dr. Kazi began her medical career in various government hospitals in Delhi, specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology. She quickly gained a reputation for her compassionate care and expertise, particularly among women from conservative families who were reluctant to consult male doctors. Her practice thrived as she served as a beacon of hope for women seeking medical attention.
Following the Partition of India in 1947, she relocated to Dhaka, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). In Dhaka, she joined the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, where she became a driving force in establishing and expanding medical services. She was instrumental in setting up the hospital’s gynaecology and obstetrics department and served as a professor, training generations of female physicians. Her unwavering commitment to serving the underprivileged earned her immense respect, and she often provided medical care and humanitarian aid to the poor without charge. Her selfless service and dedication earned her the affectionate title of the “Florence Nightingale of Dhaka.”
Dr. Zohra Begum Kazi’s life was one of unwavering dedication to her profession and her community. She was more than just a doctor; she was a social reformer, a mentor, and a symbol of female empowerment in a society where such roles were rare. She received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions, including the prestigious Begum Rokeya Padak in 2002 for her services to society. Even in her later years, she remained active in promoting women’s education and health initiatives.