by Rita Bhowmick, Dhaka Bureau, edited by Sharmin Rahman & Sheikh Arif (panel editor of Pressenza Dhaka Bureau)

Women from all walks of life have historically played a crucial role in humanitarian movements, whether political, social, educational, or cultural. Their participation has been vital across different times, places, and contexts.

In Bangladesh, the 2024 anti-discrimination quota reform movement, which later turned into a mass uprising in July, featured women at the forefront. Female students were the first to take to the streets. Later, women from various professions and housewives also took to the streets peacefully to stand by their children and demand their rights. The participation of women from all classes and professions in the July mass uprising was remarkable.

A female student carrying a sign reading “Quota or merit? Merit! Merit!

Pioneering the Uprising: Women’s Indispensable Role

The July Mass Uprising was notably initiated by female students, who were the first to take to the streets. On the night of July 16, 2024, Rokeya Hall students of Dhaka University broke through locked gates, marching out with plates and spoons, their slogans piercing the silence and galvanizing other university halls. This spark ignited a nationwide movement, with female students from schools, colleges, and universities joining in large numbers, often positioning themselves at the front to shield male students from potential harm. Their voices, expressed through protest slogans, became a primary tool for demanding rights.

Beyond the initial surge, female students also took on crucial coordination roles across the country, bravely working to ensure the movement’s success. Seema Akter, a Dhaka University music student and a frontline participant, recounted, “We were in the front row that day, and our main concern was to protect our brothers. We believed if we were in front, no one would dare attack them. However, we were brutally attacked; there were over a hundred students around me at the VC Square, most of whom were women.” She further emphasized that educated, self-aware women of this generation are highly conscious of their rights and responsibilities, striving for progress as citizens free from division.

Diverse Contributions and Unwavering Strength

Women’s involvement extended far beyond the protest lines. Anika Tahsina, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Dhaka University, highlighted that the initial momentum of the quota reform movement came from the spontaneous participation of female students. She noted their powerful presence in blockades and rallies, stating, “Women were never an obstacle; rather, they were a force in the movement. They were the first to be attacked, yet they remained on the streets with full strength despite such assaults.” She also underscored the contributions of wives who encouraged their husbands, and mothers who accepted their children’s sacrifices, with many women participating directly, some even becoming martyrs. According to Anika, the victory was a result of the collective unity of both men and women.

In divisional cities like Dhaka, women’s participation was equally significant. Jannatul Ferdous Nipu, a student from Government Barisal College, exemplified this by undertaking the risky task of painting the first graffiti for the movement under the cover of night, evading police.

Moreover, many women provided crucial support to injured students. Doctors Adhi Okhrif and Pratisha Akter offered primary treatment to over a hundred injured students in their home garage in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. This network of care also included nurses, housewives, and mothers who stepped outside their homes to help.

Academics and civil society leaders alike recognized the profound impact of women’s involvement. Dr. Shamima Sultana, a professor at Jahangirnagar University, remarked, “Women have shown brave roles in various movements before. This movement once again demonstrated that they are no longer backward. They are self-confident. They do not want charity but want to move forward by competing equally with their abilities.” She praised the mothers for inspiring courage against discrimination. Nasir Uddin Patwari, convenor of the National Citizen Committee, expressed his desire to see women not only participate in politics but also in decision-making processes. Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the National Citizen Committee, acknowledged women’s participation as the most significant catalyst for the success of the July-August movement.

The Fading Narrative: Post-Uprising Challenges and Disappearing Recognition

Despite their pivotal role and sacrifices, the contributions of women to the July Mass Uprising are steadily being erased from the narrative of the movement post-August. The proactive role of the Rokeya Hall students, who initiated the protests on July 16, has not been adequately highlighted after August 5.

This phenomenon echoes historical patterns in feminist movements, where women have often struggled for their presence to be acknowledged and their silence explained. As Roszika Parker and Griselda Pollock noted in 1970 regarding the art world, male dominance in exhibitions was pervasive, a theme explored by Tillie Olsen in Silences (1980) and Virginia Woolf in A Room of One’s Own (1929) concerning the absence of women in literature.

In Bangladesh, after the successful mass uprising of 2024, there’s a discernible attempt to overlook the roles of women. This is evident in the comparatively low representation of female leadership in the various commissions formed for state reform. This raises a critical question: will women always be relegated to proving their existence? Will they ever get the opportunity or the right time to demonstrate their capabilities fully?

Women who participated in the movement have faced significant backlash. Umama Fatema, spokesperson for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s central committee, revealed that many women, despite immense societal pressure and even deceiving their families, participated in the movement. Post-uprising, these women have faced widespread online harassment, with no action taken against the perpetrators. This lack of accountability has led to women being “cornered.”

Nazifa Jannat, a coordinator from East West University, lamented that women are now experiencing discrimination even after the success of the anti-discrimination movement. She emphasized the unfortunate reality that women must now assert their presence in the movement. Despite their capabilities, women are being excluded from political parties and lack representation in power dynamics. She stressed that the state must acknowledge women’s contributions, as they won’t proactively speak up about their roles.

Samia Akter Jannat, a 10th-grade student from Kamrangirchar who was injured multiple times, expressed that women’s roles are not only unacknowledged but are actively being excluded, leading to further discrimination. Sabrina Akter, a student from Begum Rokeya University, noted that despite equal participation with men, the historical discrimination against women persists. Sabina Yasmin, a female garment worker from Ashulia who participated in the movement, pointed out that many are portraying the uprising solely as a student movement, ignoring the spontaneous participation of laboring women, many of whom were injured or killed without proper evaluation.

A Call for Equitable Recognition and Future Action

For Bangladesh to truly move towards a discrimination-free society, the state must take concrete measures to properly evaluate and recognize the contributions of women in the 2024 anti-discrimination movement. To break the cycle of women repeatedly having to fight against discrimination, the state has a crucial responsibility:

  • Acknowledge their contributions: Officially recognize and document the pivotal role women played in the uprising.
  • Investigate and address harassment: Conduct thorough investigations into the harassment faced by female participants and take appropriate action against the perpetrators.
  • Promote and ensure female leadership: Actively encourage and guarantee the representation of women in state reform processes and decision-making bodies.

By taking these steps, Bangladesh can honor the sacrifices and contributions of its women, ensuring that the goals of the anti-discrimination movement — fostering an equitable society — are truly realized.

What do you think are the most critical steps the state should take to ensure women’s contributions are not only recognized but also lead to meaningful empowerment?

About the Author:

Rita Bhowmick: Senior Reporter, Daily Kalbela. Contributor- Pressenza, Dhaka Bureau.