The 40th anniversary of Naripokkho, a membership-based women's activist organization, was celebrated with a cultural program at Bangla Academy in Dhaka on Saturday.
The event was a vibrant celebration featuring a diverse array of cultural expressions, including documentaries, dances, music performances, acting, and stage plays, all held across different stages.
The Naripokkho started its journey with powerful slogans advocating for women's autonomy and rights, such as "My body, my choice," "I deserve equal rights in both the state and my family," and "What meaning do home and husband hold if I face abuse within those walls."
The primary aim of the Naripokkho is to secure recognition for women as individuals with inherent rights and dignity within the realms of family, society, and the state. The progressive journey commenced on May 13, 1983, and now celebrates its 40th year.
The program began with a documentary presenting the perspectives of various prominent feminists, including Tasneem Azad, Shireen Haque, Mahbuba Mahmud Leena, and many others.
Mahbuba Mahmud Leena highlighted the need for solidarity among women of all linguistic backgrounds. She said: "I noticed language barriers while conversing with some hill women during a regional meeting in Chittagong. Since then, I made efforts to communicate with them in their own language. I observed a lack of confidence among them and encouraged them to express themselves in their native language."
Subsequently, a group of artists delivered soul-stirring musical performances. Moreover, stage plays and solo acts were integral parts of the cultural festivities.
Two plays were presented, both emphasizing gender equality, one focusing on urban life and the other on rural settings.
One play vividly depicted the suppression of women, both before and after marriage, portraying women as puppets—first under their father's control and later under their husband's. It condemned the societal norms silencing daughters despite the righteousness of their stance. Post-marriage, women often find themselves confined to roles of solely tending to their husbands and children, neglecting their own identities.
The other play illuminated the unequal consequences borne by women for decisions made jointly with men. It portrayed the biased judgment prevailing in society, where women are held accountable while men escape scrutiny. The play illustrated how village councils unfairly penalize women while absolving men of any responsibility.
The program culminated with a mesmerizing dance performance. Throughout the event, there were strong condemnations of the indiscriminate killings in the Gaza Strip of Palestine.