Feminism in Bangladesh

Feminism in Bangladesh seeks equal rights of women in Bangladesh through social and political change. Article 28 of Bangladesh constitution states that "Women shall have equal rights with men in all spheres of the State and of public life".

History 
Feminist movements in Bangladesh started long before its independence. During the 19th century the social reform movement, mostly carried out by male social leaders, worked to abolish practices such as infanticide, child marriage, and widow burning. Women activists in Bangladesh organized to claim their rights during the British and Pakistan period of Bangladesh. They mobilized to fight regarding issues including violence against women, economic opportunities for women, equal representation in politics for women, reproductive rights, reforming family law, and gender equality in public policies. During the Pakistan period the feminist movement was more focused on politics and national struggles. The feminist movement of the 1970s and 1980s was led by professional women from urban areas.

Issues

Muslim Family Law
The Muslim Family Law, created by the British Indian Government and later amended by Pakistani president Ayub Khan, is based on Shariah Law, which is discriminatory against women in Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi feminists  
Begum Rokeya was a notable Muslim feminist.
Kamini Roy was the first woman honours graduate in British India.
Nurun Nahar Faizannesa was a leader of the feminist movement in Bangladesh-
Sultana Kamal is a Bangladeshi lawyer and human rights activist. She serves as the Executive Director of Ain o Salish Kendra, a civil rights organization.
Taslima Nasrin is a feminist who is known for her criticism of religion.
Syeda Razia Faiz was the first female elected member of parliament in Bangladesh.
Hasna Begum is a contemporary Bangladeshi philosopher of feminism and held the prestigious Rokeya Chair by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Rokeya Rahman Kabeer was a woman emancipation activist.
Masuda Khatun was a pioneering feminist who was given the nickname Agni Nagini (Fire Serpent) by Kazi Nazrul Islam.
 Shaheda Mustafiz is the first female programmer of Bangladesh.

Organizations 
 Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association
 Dhaka Ladies Club

See also
 Women in Bangladesh
 Islamic feminism
 Women in Hinduism
 Women in Islam
 Feminist theology

References

Category:Bangladeshi culture
Category:Feminism in Bangladesh
Bangladesh