feminism

Reading Rokeya through the lens of 1857-58 and July 2024

People of the Indian subcontinent, especially those in Bengal, never accepted European colonial rule.

ESSAY / Begum Rokeya: A redoubtable Muslim feminist and educationist

Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain was an autodidact who became a formidable champion of women’s rights and education when women in South Asia, especially Muslim women, were forced to live in subhuman conditions, almost like animals, or even worse than animals

Is it enough to just have female heads of state?

We have seen that women who are able to helm a country are often able to do so through their associations with powerful men.

Beyond the pages / Overcoming sexist textbooks to bridge the gender gap in education

Given the theme of inspiring inclusion, it's imperative to ask: does academic research sufficiently inspire inclusion?

Essay / Rokeya’s relevance to Palestinian feminism

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary (online), the first known use of the term ‘feminism’–

ESSAY / We still dream of the things that Sultana dreamed of

As long as the problems addressed in Sultana’s Dream continue to exist and be relevant, we must uphold Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain’s work, values, and ideologies

ESSAY / The progressive depiction of women in ‘Devdas’

In some ways, Sharatchandra places the blame for Devdas's ensuing sorrow on his lack of courage, made all the more noticeable in comparison to Parbati's courage in breaking social norms despite the dire consequences it could have for her.

Are feminists asking for 'too much'?

Just because things could always be worse doesn’t mean that the current issues are not worth fighting for.

Essay / Rethinking Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, the humanist

Despite his caste-consciousness and critical depiction of the social prejudices of colonial Bengal, he never directly opposed them; in his real life, he was an upholder of traditional Hindu patriarchy and Brahmin-dominated caste society.

August 19, 2023
August 19, 2023

Unravelling Bangali feminism and female rage

Feminism and literature share a profound connection as literature gives voice to the experiences of women, allowing us to understand their perspective. However, despite the abundance of information in the technological age, the promotion of feminist books remains a challenge in Bangladesh, often facing criticism from conservatives.

May 25, 2023
May 25, 2023

‘Women, Gender and Development': Rocky ride along the evolutionary scale

Nazmunnessa Mahtab has written a quite all-encompassing book on women and gender issues.    

May 18, 2023
May 18, 2023

Not all men, but yes, all women

The "not all men” argument can be futile for a lot of reasons, the most important being a disruption in the discourse.

March 23, 2023
March 23, 2023

We love Studio Ghibli’s female characters, here’s why

Amid all the media which hyper-sexualises women and puts them into boxes, Studio Ghibli movies feel like a breath of fresh air.

March 9, 2023
March 9, 2023

A legacy of women's freedom in art

Schwartz’s narrator speaks in the choral “we”, and like a daisy chain, they connect all these women’s shared yet individual experiences of feeling closed in, being violated, feeling misunderstood by society, until they all shed their names and managed to “escap[e] the century”.

March 9, 2023
March 9, 2023

Women should treat each other better

It’s about finding how we can defeat patriarchy together.

March 9, 2023
March 9, 2023

4 nonfiction books that unpack South Asian feminism with nuance

The collection comprises essays, poetry, short fiction, feature pieces, interviews, research reports, and photographs and artwork that explore the physical, psychological and political experiences of menstruation across South Asia. 

March 8, 2023
March 8, 2023

Why Iceland is a masterclass in equality

The government is better than any other nation in supporting single mothers. Parental leave is generous, and the choices and decisions by all are respected.

January 23, 2023
January 23, 2023

Things that don't make men feminists

Here are some things fake feminist men might be doing that you should keep a lookout for.

December 21, 2022
December 21, 2022

Sister Library brings back ‘Sultana’s Dream’ and the chance to create one’s own utopia

The zine-making workshop was divided into four groups based on the central themes of Begum Rokeya’s story: arts, social justice, city planning and science & education.