When speaking about our Liberation War of 1971, we often commend our freedom fighters for their sacrifices and bravery and condemn the then Pakistan army for inflicting inhumane torture on our innocent people, especially our women. While the latter is important, it is also equally vital to recognise and celebrate the contributions of the valiant women freedom fighters in ensuring Bangladesh s victory after a long nine-month struggle. This International Women s Day, let s dive into the stories of three gallant women freedom fighters who have been awarded the title of Bir Protik due to their unparalleled roles in leading us towards freedom.