Women and Media

Fighting discrimination, supporting equality: Young feminism in Bangladesh

Feminism is constantly evolving and definitions of the term are as diverse as the way feminists see themselves across the globe. What does feminism mean to young people in Bangladesh?

What does feminism mean to you?

Which topics really matter to Generation X und young Millenials? Seven women and a man, participants of a project by DW Akademie and Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, explain what feminism means to them.
Esha Aurora, Journalist, Assistant News Editor at the Dhaka Tribune

“For me feminism is centered around the fundamental principles of equal rights. Everyone should have equal access to all opportunities, including educational, economic, political, and personal ones. Feminism is intersectional. We have to recognize the nuances of discrimination and fight the root causes of deeply embedded patriarchal value systems.”
Ashfika Rahman, Visual Artist

Ashfika is a faculty member at the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute in Dhaka. “For me feminism is not just about the equality of women and men. It’s a movement that fights to end sexist oppression and exploitation without neglecting other forms of oppression such as racism and imperialism. They are all interrelated through webs of oppression.”
Syeda Samara Mortada, Feminist Activist

Samara is the Regional Movement Builder at SheDecides Asia and has been a core organizer of the RageAgainstRape movement in Bangladesh. “To be a feminist is to stand up and speak out about all kind of prejudices and marginalization that exist in society, and to accept all kinds of diversities. I’m a feminist because I know no other way to be.”
Tasaffy Hossain, Development Professional

Tasaffy has worked on issues such as agriculture, education, gender empowerment and equality. “I’ve been a feminist all my life. I grew up in an untypical urban Bengali family and felt the gendering in society from an early age, even if there weren't words to explain it. I want to encourage others to start noticing these issues and to challenge them for a better, more equal future for all.”
Arifur Rahman, Independent Filmmaker

Arifur became interested in filmmaking while studying anthropology at Jahangirnagar University. His projects have been featured at various film festivals, including the ones in Berlin, Venice, Busan, Seattle, Locarno, Singapore and Shanghai. “I want to discuss the idea of feminism in my films because I believe that film is a strong medium that can impact people’s lives and leave a positive mark.”
Mohsina Akhter, Independent theatre practitioner

Mohsina designs, directs, acts and teaches at Dhaka University. “Feminism for me is a social movement that unmasks how physical/sexual bias incapacitates women in everyday life. As a woman in a patriarchal society, I am always at risk of violence. Feminism is the inspiration that lifts my spirit on days when all seems lost and makes me believe that we shall overcome!”
Tasnuva Ahmed, Marketing Professional

Tasnuva managed ColoursFM, the only feminist radio in Bangladesh as its Head of Operations until 2020. She now has her own ventures in the IT and media sectors and promotes gender equality and rights. “Feminism to me means getting equal opportunities. There shouldn’t be discrimination or gender stereotyping when trying to pursue one’s dreams or achieve goals.”
Musharrat Sharmee Hossain, Musician, Lecturer, Social Justice Activist

Sharmee co-created Mango Meter, the world's first feminist rating app that judges the representation of women in films. She teaches at North South University. “Feminism gives me the audacity to question the wrongs and initiate dialogues for social change. I owe it to my foremothers who put me where I am today. I want to tell their unheard stories with the sincerity they deserve.”

What does feminism mean to you?

Which topics really matter to Generation X und young Millenials? Seven women and a man, participants of a project by DW Akademie and Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, explain what feminism means to them.
Esha Aurora, Journalist, Assistant News Editor at the Dhaka Tribune

“For me feminism is centered around the fundamental principles of equal rights. Everyone should have equal access to all opportunities, including educational, economic, political, and personal ones. Feminism is intersectional. We have to recognize the nuances of discrimination and fight the root causes of deeply embedded patriarchal value systems.”
Ashfika Rahman, Visual Artist

Ashfika is a faculty member at the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute in Dhaka. “For me feminism is not just about the equality of women and men. It’s a movement that fights to end sexist oppression and exploitation without neglecting other forms of oppression such as racism and imperialism. They are all interrelated through webs of oppression.”
Syeda Samara Mortada, Feminist Activist

Samara is the Regional Movement Builder at SheDecides Asia and has been a core organizer of the RageAgainstRape movement in Bangladesh. “To be a feminist is to stand up and speak out about all kind of prejudices and marginalization that exist in society, and to accept all kinds of diversities. I’m a feminist because I know no other way to be.”
Tasaffy Hossain, Development Professional

Tasaffy has worked on issues such as agriculture, education, gender empowerment and equality. “I’ve been a feminist all my life. I grew up in an untypical urban Bengali family and felt the gendering in society from an early age, even if there weren't words to explain it. I want to encourage others to start noticing these issues and to challenge them for a better, more equal future for all.”
Arifur Rahman, Independent Filmmaker

Arifur became interested in filmmaking while studying anthropology at Jahangirnagar University. His projects have been featured at various film festivals, including the ones in Berlin, Venice, Busan, Seattle, Locarno, Singapore and Shanghai. “I want to discuss the idea of feminism in my films because I believe that film is a strong medium that can impact people’s lives and leave a positive mark.”
Mohsina Akhter, Independent theatre practitioner

Mohsina designs, directs, acts and teaches at Dhaka University. “Feminism for me is a social movement that unmasks how physical/sexual bias incapacitates women in everyday life. As a woman in a patriarchal society, I am always at risk of violence. Feminism is the inspiration that lifts my spirit on days when all seems lost and makes me believe that we shall overcome!”
Tasnuva Ahmed, Marketing Professional

Tasnuva managed ColoursFM, the only feminist radio in Bangladesh as its Head of Operations until 2020. She now has her own ventures in the IT and media sectors and promotes gender equality and rights. “Feminism to me means getting equal opportunities. There shouldn’t be discrimination or gender stereotyping when trying to pursue one’s dreams or achieve goals.”
Musharrat Sharmee Hossain, Musician, Lecturer, Social Justice Activist

Sharmee co-created Mango Meter, the world's first feminist rating app that judges the representation of women in films. She teaches at North South University. “Feminism gives me the audacity to question the wrongs and initiate dialogues for social change. I owe it to my foremothers who put me where I am today. I want to tell their unheard stories with the sincerity they deserve.”

DW Akademie and Goethe-Institut Bangladesh have begun a project that gives journalism students a platform for furthering the discussion of feminism in Bangladesh. In teams of two, students will interview young feminists in virtual panel discussions and produce vodcasts (video podcasts) that are shared nationwide. The Goethe-Institut is also creating an archive for reports, studies and multimedia material that look at the history of the women’s movement in Bangladesh. It will be launched later in 2021.

Date 06.03.2021
Number of pictures 9
Author Priya Esselborn, Nina Molter
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Women and Media

Fighting discrimination, supporting equality: Young feminism in Bangladesh

What does feminism mean to you?

Esha Aurora, Journalist, Assistant News Editor at the Dhaka Tribune

Ashfika Rahman, Visual Artist

Syeda Samara Mortada, Feminist Activist

Tasaffy Hossain, Development Professional

Arifur Rahman, Independent Filmmaker

Mohsina Akhter, Independent theatre practitioner

Tasnuva Ahmed, Marketing Professional

Musharrat Sharmee Hossain, Musician, Lecturer, Social Justice Activist