For women, especially in a country like Bangladesh, gender disparity persists and art and creative media streams often appear elusive. Overcoming the glass ceiling to bring their creative talents to the fore can prove to be especially difficult, and art, or even comics drawn by female artists, don't receive as much attention as they rightfully deserve. Cartoon People, a space for comic artists in Bangladesh, saw through the heart of this issue and hosted "Girls Do Comics" with the motto of empowering female artists and fostering their talents, in partnership with Adhunika Foundation and EMK Center.

In late November last year, Cartoon People posted a call soliciting sample comics drawn by female artists. Around 200 submissions by female artists poured in after the call, from which 50 comics were shortlisted based on their storytelling and art style. These artists were then invited to two workshops where Cartoon People discussed drawing and storytelling.

Photo: Cartoon People

These workshops culminated in an exhibition, taking place from January 25 to January 30, 2025. Organised by Cartoon People at EMK Center, the exhibition features the works of female artists as they explore themes of personal, social, and cultural identity. On the first day of the exhibition, amid a vibrant gathering of artists and readers, 27 selected comic entries written by women were unveiled in two anthologies, titled Porichoy and Lines And Dreams. Porichoy features comics written in Bangla, while Lines and Dreams features comics written in English. 

The chief guest, Bibi Rusell, artist and UNESCO art ambassador for peace, unveiled the two anthologies on the same day. Afterwards, Bibi Rusell, along with Musa Amreen, took the stage to honour the top three entries with certificates and prizes. In a heartfelt segment, each artist shared their stories, visions, and the processes behind their comics. The top 10 artists were then awarded certificates as well.

Photo: Cartoon People

At the prize-distribution ceremony, Bibi Rusell emphasised celebrating female voices and the importance of having a space for girls. She further spoke about preserving folktales and stories featuring major female characters like Behula and Bonobibi. Musicians and artists such as Warda Ashraf and Armeen Musa also joined the event.

The initiative, participating artists said, provided a much-needed platform to challenge the glass ceiling and celebrate the artistic potential of female artists and creators, especially in Bangladesh. Syed Rashed Imam Tanmoy, cartoonist and founder of Cartoon People, shared why initiatives like "Girls Do Comics" are important:

Photo: Cartoon People

"In 2018, Cartoon People began its journey by uploading art strips online, with the team initially comprising mostly male artists. However, seven talented female artists—Debadrita Peu, Eeha Nawar, Chandrika Nurani Irabotee, Rehnuma Proshun and a few others—later joined the team. Despite their skills, these female artists faced barriers stemming from social restrictions, which prevented them from enjoying the same privileges as their male counterparts or taking on more active roles. Some even wanted to leave the team due to family restrictions.

The advent of online and digital drawing, however, helped bridge this gap, but it was evident that these seven artists had immense potential when not hindered by societal limitations. At Litfest, 'Girls Do Comics' was introduced at an Art Talk event, and received an overwhelming response. This response further encouraged its development, and with funding from Adhunika Foundation and external support from EMK Center, 'Girls Do Comics' was brought to life to support and celebrate female voices!"

Photo: Cartoon People

Warda Ashraf, a development practitioner, activist, and moderator of the Webinar and launching Program for "Girls Do Comics", shared:

"I have always found cartoons and comics to be an incredibly powerful medium for protest, social justice, and sparking change. They have a unique ability to provoke thoughts, inspire new ideas, and convey deep philosophies with just one or two graphics—all the while bringing laughter and sheer joy.

During the COVID outbreak, I had the privilege of collaborating with remarkable cartoonists and artists to spread awareness through social media platforms. That experience opened my eyes to the scarcity of female cartoonists and the immense challenges faced by anyone pursuing this art form in our society —challenges that are even more pronounced when you are a female cartoonist.

It became clear to me that there was a pressing need for platforms that support female artists—a space where emerging talents can grow, thrive, and find mentorship from those who have navigated similar journeys. When Tanmoy, a dear friend and the founder of Cartoon People, asked me to contribute to the "Girls Do Comics" initiative, it was to me more of a responsibility—and truly, I felt that there could be no better use of my time.

Photo: Cartoon People

As someone deeply passionate about the craft of storytelling, seeing this platform come to life has been one of the most rewarding experiences. Yet, I believe the real challenge lies in ensuring its long-term growth and sustainability, so that it continues to provide a thriving space for artists for years to come."

"Girls Do Comics" is a safe space for female comic artists and writers to share their vision, and art before the world. The exhibition will run daily from 10 AM to 8 PM till January 30, 2025, at EMK Center.

Sabrina Sazzad is a Contributor to Star Books and Literature. Email: sabrinasazzad07@gmail.com.