The BBC has revealed its list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2022. As a social activist and student from Bangladesh, Sanjida Islam Choya earned her spot on the list for her work to prevent child marriage.

The child marriage rate in Bangladesh is among the highest in the world, but Sanjida Islam Choya is working to change that. Her own mother was married at a young age, but after Choya was inspired by a school presentation on the effects of child marriage, she decided to act.

Choya and her friends, teachers, and collaborators call themselves Ghashforing (Grasshoppers) and report incidents of child marriage to the police. Choya, now in university, continues to mentor Ghashforing members and continues to work with the group. So far, they have reportedly prevented 50 child marriages.

Besides, global music phenomenon Billie Eilish, Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska, actresses Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Selma Blair, the ‘tsarina of Russian pop’ Alla Pugacheva, Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi, record-breaking triple jump athlete Yulimar Rojas, and Ghanaian author Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah are prominent in the list.

BBC 100 Women 2022 aims to depict women at the forefront of conflict around the world in 2022, including Iranian protesters bravely seeking change, as well as the faces of conflict in Russia and Ukraine. It's the first time they've also asked the previous 100 Women to nominate others they think to deserve to be on the list for 2022.

In this 10th season of 100 Women of BBC, they examine what progress has been made in the last decade. The MeToo movement and the number of female leaders have made huge progress for the rights of women, but for many women around the world, it still feels as if there is a long way to go.

BDST: 1557 HRS, DEC 7, 2022
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