The One Billion Rising (OBR) Bangladesh organisation is holding its first event of 2014, showcasing women who have spearheaded revolutions in their own fields, in their own ways.
“The Indomitable” is a collection of inspiring talks and cultural performances by women. The event takes place today at Charukala Hall, Shilpakala Academy from 3pm-6pm.
These are women from various professions who have broken stereotypes and challenged the conventional status of women in the workplace.
Khushi Kabir told the Dhaka Tribune: “These women have all taken on new roles, set new standards, and created new spaces for women in Bangladesh.”
Khushi, a human rights activist and OBR coordinator, serves on the board that selected these speakers.
“This time, we wanted to hear the stories of women that everyone would be able to relate to, instead of the well-known speakers we’ve had in the past,” said Tahmina Shafique, OBR coordinator.
“What is most compelling about them is that they are ordinary women who have faced some form of social injustice, but have turned their life around,” Tahmina added. “It is the turning points in their lives that caught our attention.”
The OBR community is an inclusive one, and not just for women.
“Part of my role as a man is to support women’s causes. It’s not just a man woman thing, it’s a human thing,” Cal Jahan, another OBR member who also helped curate the event, told the Dhaka Tribune. “The more examples we can see of woman who have done good things, the more the genders will be balanced in our culture.”
“Justice” is the focus of this year’s One Billion Rising (OBR) international movement. In Bangladesh, the local chapter is launching a month-long awareness campaign about justice for women in Bangladesh.
Tahmina said: “We realised injustice happens in a lot of different workplaces, and ordinary people are fighting in their own way and standing up. We wanted that story to be told.”
Champa Chakma – Pull it like Lara, Bend it like Beckham
Breaking boundaries and stereotypes is footballer and cricketer Champa, who plays both sports for the Bangladesh national teams. Champa’s travails through the sport fields have been full of hurdles, which she tackled head on. Her journey is about fighting for passion and breaking boundaries.
Farjahan – Another world is possible
A mother, a survivor, and a fighter, Farjahan broke out of her system of domestic abuse to use her love for culture and literature in the classroom. Farjahan is also a singer, and has been passionate about music all her life. Today she is without regrets, empowered by the belief that she must continue to battle and stand proud in a constricted society. She currently works at the International School Dhaka as a Bangla teacher, and has two sons, 9 and 14 years old.
Farzana Akhtar – Into the light
As a visually impaired woman and a bank officer at Agrani Bank, Farzana has broken stereotypes of how far a disabled woman can go. She overcame many social barriers, while fighting years of bureaucratic and legal battles, in order to reach her current position at the public institution. Farzana is not only a pioneer in her own right, but also a shining example of what is possible we if do not impose our own understanding of someone else’s capacity.
Joya Shikdar – Break the chain
In the context of the largely conservative population in Bangladesh, the Hijra community, which identifies neither as male nor female, are often excluded, stigmatised and bullied. Having fought through these hurdles, Joya has made a name for herself as an advocate for sexual minorities. She is the president of the Sex Worker’s Network and the founding president of an NGO called Shomporker Noya Shetu.
Nurun Nahar – Leap of faith
A survivor who turned her story into lessons for others, Nurun believes in a world where acid survivors will be treated with respect and dignity instead of sympathy. Her contribution to the lives of acid survivors recently earned her the Ananna Shirsho Dosh award. She has worked extensively with women and girls in her community to bring about positive changes in their lives. Nurun is now working with Action Aid Bangladesh’s women’s rights team, and hopes to someday be the convener of the Acid Survivors Network.