Mir Aftabuddin Ahmed

Mir Aftabuddin Ahmed is policy development officer at the City of Toronto.

The role of state and society in sustaining gendered violence

Rape persists in Bangladesh at the scale it does because too many men believe they are superior beings and that women exist to be controlled.

1w ago

A reminder of the nearly unwinnable hand Yunus was dealt

A sentiment has taken root in Bangladesh: Yunus is an honest man with good intentions.

3m ago

The BPL anthem: A rhythm of change

Bangladesh's youth rise up, fueling a cultural movement of protest and hope.

4m ago

Sustainable policy reforms demand a cultural change

Dr Yunus outlined five strategic arenas for reform: the Election Commission (EC), judiciary, civil administration, security forces, and media.

7m ago

When rule of (no) law reigns supreme

A narrative from both the government and some mass media outlets promotes a version of events that is far detached from the reality experienced

9m ago

An ode to our senior citizens

The notion of community upliftment will fade with the passing of Bangladesh's current cohort of senior citizens.

11m ago

Pakistan bats for Imran Khan

Khan's clout originates from a general belief that he can do no wrong while representing Pakistan.

1y ago

The plight of the Sudanese deserves our attention

Sudan needs assistance from the international community—and it needs it very quickly.

1y ago
November 5, 2019
November 5, 2019

Reasons behind Trudeau’s slim victory

A second term in office awaits the incumbent Canadian prime minister, as the centre-left Liberal Party managed to secure enough parliamentary seats to ensure that a

September 24, 2019
September 24, 2019

A story less told: Bangladesh’s success in green RMG production

Earlier this month, Made in Bangladesh, a film that brings to light the predicament of workers in Bangladesh’s readymade garments (RMG) industry, was screened amidst much anticipation at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film features a

June 12, 2019
June 12, 2019

Cricket World Cup and a policy of exclusivity

Since the commencement of the tournament in 1975, the one-day international World Cup has traditionally been the flagship event of the International Cricket Council (ICC) whilst both the Test and T20 formats of the game have their own unique features.

April 25, 2019
April 25, 2019

Turning a blind eye?

Nusrat Jahan Rafi’s murder is a gruesome tale of the systematic violation of basic fundamental rights of children and, particularly, young girls in Bangladesh.

April 13, 2019
April 13, 2019

'It was the community which made history'

In June 2018, at the age of 29, Doly Begum became the first member of the Bangladeshi expatriate community in Canada to be elected

January 31, 2019
January 31, 2019

Why criminal justice reform is a must

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has recently directed prison authorities to engage inmates in commercial production as a means of rehabilitation; her words were echoed by Iqbal Hasan, an additional Inspector General of prisons,

January 24, 2019
January 24, 2019

Good governance, a prerequisite for solving youth unemployment

The "Asia-Pacific Employment and Social Outlook Report 2018" published by the International Labour Organization (ILO) suggested that the youth unemployment rate in Bangladesh had increased from 6.32 percent in 2000 to 12.8 percent in 2018.

January 13, 2019
January 13, 2019

Key challenges for the education minister

President Abdul Hamid appointed 47 members to the new cabinet of Bangladesh this month with Dr Dipu Moni taking over the reins of

December 23, 2018
December 23, 2018

Increasing the capacity of Community Clinics

Ever since the early 1990s, Bangladesh has witnessed visible strides in several human development indicators, especially with relation

October 15, 2018
October 15, 2018

Looking at climate change from the lens of international security

A milestone report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned the global community of the expository risks our planet faces, if international stakeholders fail to portray environmental protectionism front and centre in their policy programmes.