Sheikh Hasina 29th on Forbes’ powerful woman list

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been ranked 29th on the list of the most powerful women by Forbes.

German chancellor Angela Markel topped the list published Thursday. European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde and US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi ranked second and third respectively.

Women on the list represent women in six categories: business, technology, finance, media and entertainment, politics and policy, and philanthropy.

The World's Most Powerful Women List highlights the female leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists and CEOs who are wielding their influence to drive change, Forbes said in a statement.

Hasina, the longest serving prime minister in Bangladesh's history, was ranked 30th on the last year's list. She is currently serving her fourth term.

Hasina, born on 28 September, 1947 in Tungipara, is the daughter of Bangladesh's founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

She played a crucial role in establishing democracy in the country and has been a staunch crusader against fundamentalism, militancy and terrorism.

She heads the ruling Awami League.