19 MAY 2012
Nishat Mazumder today made history as she became the first Bangladeshi woman to reach the top of Mount Everest, scaling all 8,848 metres (29,028 feet) of the world’s highest mountain.
Flying the flag for Plan’s Because I am a Girl campaign, the 31 year old accountant was joined on the climb by Bangladeshi mountaineer MA Mohit.
Although an experienced mountaineer in her own right, the climb up Everest was Nishat’s biggest challenge to date. Nishat had to train hard for the expedition and so dedicating it to Plan’s girls campaign seemed like an obvious choice.
“Taking on this challenge as a woman, I realised just how important it is for girls to be empowered. Plan’s Because I am a Girl campaign is all about having a voice and being strong, so I wanted to do this to show girls around the world that nothing is impossible,” said Nishat before the climb.
Journey of a lifetime
The journey began on 9 April and some favourable weather conditions helped the dynamic duo reach Base Camp on 15 April.
On 20 April, Mohit said in a message from a satellite phone that they were preparing to make their first push to Camp 1 (of 4) and then return to Base Camp, all part of the acclimatisation routine climbers must go through before they reach the top.
On Wednesday, Mohit told Plan that he and Nishat had reached Camp 3, at an altitude of 7,300 metres (23,950 feet), and that they were about to climb North Col before the final push to the summit, which they reached today.
Girl power
“What a feat this is!” said Deepali Sood, director of the Because I am a Girl campaign.
“Many congratulations to Nishat who, as the first Bangladeshi woman, has conquered a typically male dominated terrain and I am delighted that she has done this for Plan’s campaign. The message of the campaign reinforces Nishat’s determination and success, unleash the power of girls and women and watch them soar,” she added.
Plan’s Because I am a Girl campaign to fight gender inequality and promote girls’ rights will be officially launched around the world on the International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October.
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