Women's participation in outdoor sports in a conservative country like Bangladesh is incredibly difficult. Women should move forward by persuading their families and avoiding society's conservative viewpoint. Shammi Nasrin is one such woman. The 46-year-old middle-aged woman stunned everyone by taking third place (63kg category) in a Bangladesh Powerlifting Association's weightlifting competition. Her accomplishment is a source of pride for women in Bangladesh. Despite the potential, many women are afraid to participate in sports such as weightlifting by defying society's conservative viewpoint. Shammi Nasrin's path as a weightlifter and the accomplishments of other notable women's weightlifters in Bangladesh are highlighted in this article.  Shammi Nasrin's Journey as a Weightlifter It's no surprise that women's strength, which is frequently honored as motherhood, is a source of inspiration. A middle-aged Bangladeshi woman has not only enhanced feminine power but also transcended the constraints of societal taboos and other barriers with sheer drive and courage. A weightlifting competition was held by the Bangladesh Powerlifting Association. Shammi Nasrin, a 46-year-old mother of three, finished third in the 63-kg weightlifting category. She has astounded everyone with her accomplishment, given her present age, defying the obligations she has in her daily life.   Read FIFA Women's Friendly Football: Bangladesh, Nepal play out goalless 2nd match Shammi Nasrin used to devote her life to caring for her three children (two boys and a girl) as well as domestic duties. However, she has always had a strong interest in weightlifting and is a sports enthusiast.  Nasrin gradually realized that fitness is essential, especially as one reaches the age of forty. Her passion for fitness became even stronger once she began working out at the gym on a daily basis, and she decided to compete in the powerlifting competition. Shammi Nasrin's accomplishments made her children very proud. One of her sons is a semi-professional football player who draws inspiration from her. Read: Women in Afghanistan: Taliban Government to Ban Women's Sports in Afghanistan When women like Shammi come forward, the so-called myths of society will be dispelled, and more women will be motivated to follow in her footsteps.  Bangladesh's Notable Female Weightlifters Smrity Akter, Shabira Molla, Chakma Fullpoti, Fayema Akter, Rokeya Sultana Sathy, Mabia Akhtar, Nisha Juhora Khaton, and Parvin Feroza are among the women weightlifters who have recently represented Bangladesh on the international stage.  Mabia Akter Shimanta and Smrity Akter are two of the best female weightlifters in Bangladesh. They both won silver medals in the 5th ISSF International Solidarity Weightlifting Championship 2018 in Cairo, Egypt.  Read: Bashonti Nibash, One Taka Hotel: First women-only hotel in Bangladesh by Bidyanondo Mabia took silver in the women's 71kg category; while Smrity won silver in the 45kg weight category. Mabia was also a gold medalist at the 2016 and 2019 South Asian Games.  Shabira Molla is another talented female weightlifter from Bangladesh. In 2003, she came in third at the Asian Weightlifting Championships, and in 2007, she came in second at the Asian Junior Weightlifting Championships. She also earned a bronze medal in the 2019 South Asian Games.  Other recent notable international successes by women weightlifters include: Juhora Khatun Nisha won gold (81 kgs), Rokeya Sultana Sathy took silver (155 kgs), Fullpoti Chakma took silver (55 kgs), and Fayema Akter took bronze (59 kgs) in the 2019 South African Games.  Read: FIFA women's friendlies: Bangladesh lose 1-2 to Nepal Bottom Line  It is possible to achieve any goal with a strong mind, such as Shammi Nasrin's, despite societal barriers. Bangladesh women should look up to her for inspiration. In addition, the family must play a significant role in Bangladesh women's progress. Bangladeshi women have had little success in weightlifting at the international level. However, we must strive to identify talented female athletes via countrywide talent search events. Women may succeed in the international arena if they are well cared for.  

 International Day of Rural Women serves as a reminder that a sustainable future is not possible without the involvement and upliftment of the fairer sex in the society. But like their counterparts in many other countries, women in Bangladesh too are bearing the brunt of the economic and social fallout of Covid-19.