MUMBAI: BBC’s list of 100 Inspiration Women 2015 has been released, and it features Asha Bhosle, Nicola Benedetti, Sonita Alizadeh, Rotana Tarabzouni and Lizanne Teo from the music space.

Each year, BBC names 100 women - a mix of influential women who are world leaders in politics, science and entertainment, as well as lesser known, but inspirational women from all over the world. This is later followed by more special content across all its platforms. Thus, this year the above mentioned ladies, who make a difference in the music space will also be a part of it.

For the uninitiated, Asha Bhosle is a singing sensation who started her work in Bollywood (Indian film industry) in 1943. She also features in the Guinness Book of Records as the most recorded artist in music history. She has recorded playback songs for more than 1,000 films.

Nicola Benedetti is one of the most sought after violinists of her generation, and is fiercely committed to music education and to developing young talent. The 28-year-old is an ambassador for Sistema Scotland’s ‘Big Noise’ project and vice president of the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain. Benedetti has also developed her own education initiative, The Benedetti Sessions.

18-year-old Afghan rapper, Sonita Alizadeh is the perfect example of a woman of steel. Sonita narrowly escaped being sold into marriage as a young girl by writing the song ‘Brides for Sale’. She now uses her powerful voice and poetic lyrics to advocate an end to forced marriage across the world.

Saudi Arabian singer/ songwriter, Rotana Tarabzouni attained international prominence two years ago when she leant her voice to the Women's Driving Campaign in Saudi Arabia. The 26-year-old is currently living in LA, and sings about challenges back in Saudi, and the Arab world in general. She is also planning to soon go home to face her critics.

Lizanne Teo, 24, of Singaporean nationality is the co-founder of ‘Upsurge’, an events company specialising in rock concerts. ‘Upsurge’ handles every aspect of the business, from logistics and operations to production and public relations, despite being a start-up with limited financial resources.

The list ‘100 Women’ is a part of ‘100 Women Season’ on BBC World News starting from 18 November, 2015. Launched in 2013, ‘100 Women Season’ kick-started BBC’s pledge to better represent women in its international news output.  In its third year, the ‘100 Women Season’ will feature special reports, programmes and discussions running across BBC World News, its website and the 29 languages of BBC World Service, as well as network news.

‘100 Women Season’ editor Fiona Crack said, “We are proud of 100 Women – over the last two years we have given more time and space on our platforms to stories and issues that affect women wherever they are in the world – as our audience told us they wanted.  The 100 women list is way of appreciating the hard work done by women thereby giving recognition to their efforts and struggles.”