Farjana Khan Godhuly - The Fast Rising Photojournalist from Bangladesh

by Naina Shehzeen Ahmad

Currently, Farjana Khan Godhuly is a photojournalist at the Dhaka Bureau of France-based International News Agency “Agence France Presse (AFP)". Prior to her current assignment, she has served as a staff reporter with the “Daily Sangbad” between December 1999 and March 2001, and as a photo-journalist with the “Daily Janakantha” between February 1997 and July 1998.

Over the years, Farjana’s work has been showcased in various combined photo-exhibitions. Her debut experience was in November 1997, at the combined photo-exhibition organized by the Bangladesh Photojournalist Association. She has also been a regular contributor to the photo-exhibition of woman photographers organized by British Council of Dhaka, in march 2003 and woman photographers group in March 2005.

Farjana has extensive formal training both as a journalist as well as a photographer. She was trained as a TV reporter from IT Ltd Dhaka, and later, in digital photojournalism from IIMC. She successfully completed the Basic and Diploma Courses with the Beg-Art Institute(1995) and with the Photojournalist Association (1996 - ’97).

To address her passion for investigative coverage, she completed the “Investigative Reporting” workshop organized by BCDJC, as well as the workshop on “Investigative reporting on Environment issues” in Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association. To complement her interests in investigative reporting, she has participated in the “Woman in Journalism” workshop organized by BCDJC, and “In-depth reporting on Gender issues” organized by the News Network, where she was a training fellow for a six month period. She has effectively channeled her professional skills towards highlighting gender issues and social injustice within Bangladesh, as a small step towards effecting tangible and permanent social changes through her pictures. As a Pioneer Woman Photojournalist, she received an honorable prize for Pioneer from BCDJC in April 2005.

As a result, even in a predominantly male-dominated profession in the context of Bangladesh, Farjana has been able to carve out her niche through her talent, perseverance and sheer passion. Her pictures depict a boldness of style that is evocative of her passionate stance on the various issues that she highlights in her reporting.

Born on May 1st, 1978, to Mrs Sufia Ahmed Khan and Mr. Anwer Ahmed Khan, Farjana Khan Godhuly is married to Mr. Jewel Samad and currently resides in Dhaka, Bangladesh.