# Feminism in Bangladesh

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Feminism in Bangladesh (Bengali: বাংলাদেশে নারীবাদ) seeks equal rights of women in Bangladesh through social and political change. Article 28 of Bangladesh constitution states that "Women shall have equal rights with men in all spheres of the State and of public life".

## History

Feminist movements in Bangladesh started long before its independence. During the 19th century the social reform movement, mostly carried out by male social leaders, worked to abolish practices such as infanticide, child marriage, and widow burning. Women activists in Bangladesh organized to claim their rights during the British and Pakistan period of Bangladesh. They mobilized to fight regarding issues including violence against women, economic opportunities for women, equal representation in politics for women, reproductive rights, reforming family law, and gender equality in public policies. During the Pakistan period the feminist movement was more focused on politics and national struggles. The feminist movement of the 1970s and 1980s was led by professional women from urban areas.

### 19th Century

* 1886: Swarnakumari Devi established the Sakhi Samiti (Women's Friend Association), one of the first women's voluntary associations in Bengal, aiming to support and empower women.

### Early 20th Century

* 1905: Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain published "Sultana's Dream," a pioneering feminist science fiction work envisioning a society where women lead and men are secluded.
* 1916: Begum Rokeya founded the Muslim Women's Association, advocating for women's education and employment opportunities.
* 1926: Kamini Roy, a prominent poet and social worker, led the Bangiya Nari Samaj, an organization campaigning for women's suffrage in Bengal.

### Mid 20th Century

* 1947: Manikuntala Sen became one of the first women active in the Communist Party of India, advocating for women's rights and social reforms.
Late 20th Century: Feminist Literature and Activism
* 1992: Humayun Azad published "Naree", a comprehensive feminist treatise in Bengali that critiqued patriarchal structures and advocated for women's rights.
21st Century: Continued Advocacy and Recognition
* 2000: The ban on Humayun Azad's "Naree" was lifted, following a legal battle that Azad won, marking a significant victory for freedom of expression and feminist literature in Bangladesh.

## Issues
### Muslim Family Law

The Muslim Family Law was enacted by the British Indian government. Which is discriminatory against women's rights law.

## Bangladeshi feminists

* Begum Rokeya was a notable feminist, educator, and activist.
* Kamini Roy was the first woman honors graduate in British India.
* Nawab Faizunnesa was the first woman Nawab of South Asia, she is known for her campaign for female education and other social issues related to women
* Mohammad Nasiruddin, Bangladeshi journalist, women's rights activist, and publisher of Begum
* Fazilatunnesa, Bangladeshi mathematician, Principal of Eden Mohila College, and first female post-graduate of Muslim Bengal.
* Nurjahan Begum, pioneer female journalist and editor of Begum, the first women's magazine in Bangladesh.
* Nurun Nahar Faizannesa was a leader of the feminist movement in Bangladesh-
* Mahmuda Khatun Siddiqua, Bangladeshi poet, essayist, and a pioneering women's liberation activist.
* Sultana Kamal is a Bangladeshi lawyer and human rights activist. She serves as the executive director of Ain o Salish Kendra, a civil rights organization.
* Sufia Kamal, Bangladeshi poet, feminist leader, and social activist.
* Taslima Nasrin is a feminist who is known for her criticism of religion.
* Syeda Razia Faiz was the first female elected member of parliament in Bangladesh.
* Hasna Begum is a contemporary Bangladeshi philosopher of feminism and held the prestigious Rokeya Chair by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
* Rokeya Rahman Kabeer was a woman emancipation activist.
* Masuda Khatun was a pioneering feminist who was given the nickname Agni Nagini (Fire Serpent) by Kazi Nazrul Islam.
* Wasfia Nazreen is the first Bangladeshi, and Bengali person of any gender, to climb all the Seven Summits.
* Shaheda Mustafiz is the first female programmer of Bangladesh.
* Ayesha Khanam, Bangladeshi feminist leader and freedom fighter.
* Rounaq Jahan, Bangladeshi political scientist, feminist leader, and author.
* Angela Gomes, social worker and founder of Banchte Shekha (Learn How To Survive)
* Husne Ara Kamal, Bangladeshi academician and social worker.
* Shireen Huque, cofounder of Naripokkho and anti-violence crusader.
* Rahnuma Ahmed, anthropologist, activist, and author
* Nazma Akter, Bangladeshi trade unionist and founder of the Awaj Foundation.
* Joya Sikder, transgender activist and founder of Somporker Noya Setu (SNS)
* Tasaffy Hossain, founder of the feminist organization Bonhishikha, that first staged The Vagina Monologues in Bangladesh.
* Trishia Nashtaran, founder of the feminist grassroots organization Meye Network.

## Organizations

* Begum magazine, founded in 1947
* Bangladesh Mahila Samiti (formerly Dhaka branch of All Pakistan Women's Association), opened in 1949
* Dhaka Ladies Club, opened in 1951
* Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, formed in 1970
* Banchte Shekha, established in 1976
* Naripokkho, formed in 1973
* Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association, formed in 1979.
* Hill Women's Federation(HWF)formed in 1988
* Acid Survivors Foundation, founded in 1999
* Awaj Foundation, founded in 2003
* Bonhishikha, formed in 2010.
* Somporker Noya Setu (SNS), formed in 2010
* Bangladesh Feminist Archives (BFA), formed in 2024.