Stories

Every year on May 12, the world celebrates International Nurses Day (IND), commemorating the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale and recognizing the critical contributions nurses make to societies worldwide. Nurses are the backbone of health systems—providing care, leadership, and compassion when it’s needed most.

This year, we proudly shine a spotlight on two remarkable nursing leaders in Bangladesh whose dedication is helping to transform the future of healthcare through the Empowering Women through Professionalization of the Nursing Sector in Bangladesh (ProNurse) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Cowater International, in partnership with the Université de Montréal , through the Unité de Santé Internationale (USI) and the Faculty of nursing (FSI), and the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing.

Mst. Nihar Banu: Leading with Purpose at Nursing Institute Kurigram

Since taking on the role of Nursing Instructor In-Charge at Nursing Institute Kurigram in 2019, Mst. Nihar Banu has led with vision and resilience. With support from the ProNurse Project, she received essential management training and orientation on the Nursing Institute Monitoring System (NIMS)—a turning point in her leadership journey.

“Before receiving the management training, I was very nervous about taking on a managerial role,” she shared. “Now, I understand the power of even a verbal reward. That simple gesture makes a big difference.”

Armed with new skills in leadership, financial management, and institutional monitoring, Nihar has been instrumental in building strong networks, encouraging collaboration, and driving improvements at her institute. Today, she proudly leads a well-structured, fully equipped nursing education facility.

Her leadership extends beyond administration. As a passionate advocate for sustainability, she has motivated her colleagues and students to create a greener, cleaner campus.

“Our lush, vibrant campus is our small but powerful stand against climate change,” she said.

Hosneara Khatun: Shaping the Next Generation at Khulna Medical College Hospital

At Khulna Medical College Hospital, Senior Staff Nurse and Nursing Supervisor Hosneara Khatun is making a lasting impact as a mentor and leader. After completing the Master Trainer Training on Preceptor Education through the ProNurse Project, developed in collaboration with the expertise of the Université de Montréal, she now mentors 78 intern nursing students with renewed purpose and expertise.

“Before, I worked as a preceptor, but I didn’t fully understand the importance of communication and belonging,” she recalled. “This time, I welcomed the students warmly—and they told me it made them feel like they truly belong.”

Driven by a deep commitment to service, Hosneara also mentors’ diploma and private nursing students, helping create an environment where emerging nurses receive both professional skills and emotional support.

“It gives me immense satisfaction to know that I am serving my country by preparing future nurses with quality care and compassion,” she said.

Celebrating the Power of Nursing Leadership

Through the ProNurse Project, leaders like Mst. Nihar Banu and Hosneara Khatun are not only advancing nursing education and healthcare—they are building stronger communities, inspiring the next generation, and shaping a healthier future for all.

On this International Nurses Day, we honour their dedication, celebrate their achievements, and reaffirm Cowater International’s commitment to empowering women in the health sector and beyond.

About the ProNurse Project [1]

Through initiatives like training, mentorship, and institutional strengthening, ProNurse is helping build a stronger, more inclusive healthcare system for the future.

The project aims to strengthen the voice, influence, and empowerment of nurses—particularly women—in Bangladesh’s health sector by:

1) Enhancing the quality of gender-responsive education for nurses,

 2) Improving the professional performance and status of female nurses,

3) Creating a more enabling environment for women’s leadership and participation.

 The ProNurse Project also strengthens ties between Canada and Bangladesh, creating lasting partnerships in the health sector. Canadian nursing professionals involved in the project gain valuable international experience, strengthening Canada’s own expertise in global health and advancing its commitment to supporting gender equality and sustainable development worldwide.

Learn More

To learn more about the ProNurse Project, tune into our podcast with Geneviève Rouleau, Project Director and Principal Project Coordinator at the University of Montreal’s International Health Unit (Unité de Santé Internationale), a partner organization of Cowater International.

In this episode, she shares insights into the challenges, progress, and inspiring stories that are shaping the professionalization of nursing in Bangladesh.

[1] Funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Cowater International, the Empowering Women through Professionalization of the Nursing Sector in Bangladesh (ProNurse) project (2021–2029) is a transformative eight-year initiative valued at CAD 25.9 million.