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Women's rights agendas in South Asia affected, says speakers

Published : Saturday, 14 December, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 1739
Women\'s Own Desk
Speakers at the National Conference on Women's Movement Navigating Change in South Asia: Building Solidarity and Resisting Backlash, organised by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University, and the Sustaining Power examined how economic shocks and rise in populist agendas have affected space for advocating women's rights and gender equality agendas across South Asia.

Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and?Pakistan have all experienced economic and/or political shifts that have polarised public discourse on gender equality, co-opted women's empowerment for exploitative agendas, permitted threats to and vilification of women's rights, and instigated gender-based violence, said participants at the conference held on 8 December  at the BishwoShahittoKendro in Dhaka. 

It is important to understand the contentions underlying the backlash against women's rights movements, said ShireenPervinHuq, Chair of Bangladesh Women's Affairs Reform Commission and founder of Naripokkho, a women's rights organisation. In her remarks as a chief guest, she also lauded the contribution of girls and women in the anti-discrimination movement that led to the July uprising. "It was inspiring for my generation of women to see hundreds of thousands of girls and women take to the streets [during the July uprising], not fearing pushback or repercussions. Back in our time, when female activists tried to be assertive, they were often met with backlash. They had to either back down or face consequences," she added. 

In his opening remarks, Dr. Imran Matin, Executive Director, BIGD, questioned the extent to which progressivity has been inclusive. "It is important that we question progressivity and critically examine backlash to chart a way forward in advocating sat BIGD.

 X  what strategies worked to counter backlash against feminist gains. SuPWR is coordinated by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and works with four partners in South Asia: BIGD in Bangladesh; ISST in India; IDEAS, LUMS in Pakistan; and CARE in Nepal.

An exhibition showcased a selection of the artwork, photo stories, and audiovisual outputs from the gender justice struggles that participated in the research was also showcased at the BishwoShahittoKendro.



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