On Women’s Day, stories of resilience rise to the surface. Marufa Akter’s journey is one of quiet strength and relentless determination. Born into a financially struggling family in Nilphamari, her father a tenant farmer and her mother a homemaker, hardship shaped her childhood.
She helped her father plough the fields while balancing school and farm work. Yet through exhaustion and social pressure, her dream of cricket never faded. Rising above doubt and obstacles, she turned determination into achievement, becoming a national team cricketer and a beacon of hope for girls who dare to dream beyond boundaries.
On this Women’s Day, she reflects on struggle, motivation, and what empowerment truly means.
TIMES: What does Women’s Day mean to you? Does it feel special?
Marufa: Every day feels the same in a way. But Women’s Day is special because women are celebrated. It feels like a festival dedicated to women. That makes it meaningful.
TIMES: Did you ever imagine that one day you would be celebrated like this?
Marufa: No. When I was young, I never thought about these things. As my cricket career began, I gradually learned more and became aware. Over time, I started understanding what such recognition means.
TIMES: What has been the most challenging part of your journey as a female cricketer?
Marufa: Honestly, everything is challenging. If you take things lightly, they feel easy. If you think they are difficult, they become difficult. It depends on your mindset.
TIMES: You faced obstacles and negative comments while rising through the ranks. How did you cope?
Marufa: At that time, people around me said many things. But in my mind, I had a clear target. I wanted to play for the national team. No matter what they said, I did not pay attention to it. At home, my parents did not support me. Only my two elder brothers, Alamin and Habib, supported me. With their support and the support of my coaches, I have reached a good place today.
TIMES: Did you ever feel like giving up?
Marufa: No, I never felt that way. I always set a target for myself. Even if I failed, I would tell myself, “No, I can do it. Come on Marufa! You can do it, you are the best.” I motivated myself like that every day. That self-belief kept me moving forward.
TIMES: How have your struggles shaped you?
Marufa: When I was younger, I did not receive much support. People talked negatively about me playing cricket. Now, everything feels different.
The same people who once criticised me now say, “You have reached a great place. We pray for you.” Their encouragement means a lot. It feels special to see how achievement changes perception. Today, they stand beside me with pride.
TIMES: How inspiring do you think your journey is for young girls?
Marufa: It is hard to explain. Whenever I go home, girls from the Saidpur academy come to see me. They say, “Apu has come, let’s talk to her.” Last Ramadan, they even came to my house. I told them, “Let’s go play cricket.” We went to the field and played together. The way they see me as an idol feels big. It feels very good.
TIMES: Many people define women’s empowerment as financial stability, earning one’s own income and having financial freedom. Others say it is about being able to do what you want. What does women’s empowerment mean to you?
Marufa: For me, empowerment means being able to do what I truly want. Of course, it also includes financial stability and independence. But beyond that, it is about working according to my own wishes, receiving respect, having equal rights, and feeling safe in every aspect of life.
TIMES: What message would you give to girls who want to follow your path?
Marufa: Being born as a girl is not a mistake. In many villages, girls are still looked down upon. But if we ignore those negative ideas, we can see that girls are doing incredibly well in football, cricket, and everywhere.
Stay positive. Keep one clear target in mind: “I can do it.” If you stay focused with that mindset, it does not matter whether you are a boy or a girl. You will achieve your goal.
