Bangladesh’s first #MeToo survivor wins top model award at Cannes Film Festival

Bangladeshi-Irish model Maksuda Akhter Prioty, who is known for starting the #MeToo movement in Bangladesh, has won the prestigious top model award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival on July 16. Ramp models from all over the world participated in the competition which was sponsored by Integrity Magazine. 

Prioty's outstanding ramp performance won her the title of the prestigious festival’s top model.

Prioty shared the news on her personal Facebook profile. She wrote: "Although I have received the 'Top Model' award at the 74th Cannes Film Festival, I simply cannot claim the award as my own.” 

“I would like to thank my fashion designer, make-up artists, hairstylists, and the other models for working hard to ensure that the event goes well," she stated in her post.

Talking about the experience of the prize-giving ceremony, Prioty wrote, "An unforgettable, magical evening! Thank you so much, everyone, for all of your blessings. Please know that your prayers are working wonderfully in my life."

The Former Ms Ireland and Ms Earth International was born and raised in Bangladesh capital Dhaka. She was the first Asian to win a European national fashion title. 

After completing the ninth grade from Dhaka she moved to Ireland to pursue her modelling career.

The versatile model is passionate about aviation and currently pursuing her dream to work as a commercial pilot.

The internationally renowned model is also an author, with several Bengali books published in the Ekushey Boi Mela last year.

In late 2018, the Irish-Bangladeshi model released a number of Facebook posts from Ireland and a video accusing Rongdhanu Group owner and Chairman Rafiqul Islam – also the chairman of Kayetpara Union Parishad in Rupganj, Narayanganj – of sexually assaulting her, raping her digitally (with fingers), and of threatening and intimidating her afterwards.

Rafiqul Islam denounced her allegations as false and politically motivated, calling it a smear campaign by his rivals. No official police complaints were filed back then but her coming forward started a wave of #MeToo confessions from female professionals across the country.