Empowering women is integral to the ethos of feminist movements that challenge deeply entrenched societal norms. This commitment is rooted in a desire to dismantle the dualistic ways in which women are perceived and treated.
On one hand, they are venerated in the abstract as goddesses or ideals. Yet on the other hand, they are oppressed in their daily lives as individuals. Such a dichotomy is not unique to any one culture; it pervades many societies worldwide, reflecting a broader pattern of glorifying female figures in mythology while marginalizing living women’s rights and freedoms.
This cultural contradiction becomes particularly evident during times of religious and cultural festivities. In Bengal, for example, the festival of Durga Puja celebrates the goddess Durga, epitomizing divine strength and moral victory over evil.
However, this symbolic veneration contrasts sharply with the real conditions of women who, even during these celebrations, face systemic discrimination and violence. The irony here is palpable: The goddess is exalted for her power and moral authority, while everyday women are often deprived of their basic rights and autonomy.
The practice of idolizing women as paragons of virtue while simultaneously restricting their autonomy can be linked to what Simone de Beauvoir describes as the “Myth of the Eternal Feminine.” This myth creates an idealized, unattainable standard that real women are expected to emulate but can never truly achieve without losing their agency.
This idealization serves as a justification for controlling women's behaviours and choices, encapsulating them in a role that always falls short of the revered ideal yet is constantly pressured to aspire to it.
The consequences of such idolization extend beyond cultural festivities and permeate everyday interactions and institutions, reinforcing gender roles and expectations that limit women's opportunities in education, employment, and social mobility.
By placing women on a pedestal, society often excuses itself from the necessity of addressing the real issues they face, such as unequal access to resources, legal protection against domestic violence, and discrimination in the workplace and beyond.
The troubling incidents in Cox's Bazar and Narsingdi earlier this year, where women faced harassment for their attire, resonate starkly with the cultural contradictions explored earlier. This reflects the ongoing challenge within society where the symbolic respect and reverence afforded to goddesses do not translate into respect for women’s autonomy in daily life.
By understanding these incidents as part of the larger cultural framework that venerates women in myth yet violates their human rights in reality, we can see how deeply entrenched and pervasive these discriminatory practices are.
Michel Foucault’s analysis of power and how it permeates societal structures provides a poignant lens to examine the historical and contemporary suppression of women exemplified above. Foucault suggested that power is everywhere and it is exercised through networks rather than being held by individuals. This view can help us understand the persistent societal efforts to control women's behaviours and choices, not just as isolated incidents but as part of a long-standing pattern of gender-based governance.
Taking recent events in India as an example, where women have been targeted for their choice of dress or for participating in protests, we can again see Foucault’s concept of power and knowledge at work. Media portrayals and societal backlash against these women often draw on deeply ingrained stereotypes and cultural narratives that define “acceptable” female behaviour.
The efforts to police women’s dress or their presence in public spaces are not merely about maintaining public order but are part of broader strategies to maintain social order by reinforcing traditional gender roles.
In Bangladesh, the contradiction between female political leadership and the subjugation of women in daily life hence can be clarified from Foucoult’s point of view that women leadership effectively didn’t change the power dynamics existing in the society.
Despite decades of governance by women, societal attitudes toward women's autonomy remain fraught with conservatism. This stark disparity raises critical concerns about the influence of public opinion on policy-making, particularly as it relates to women's rights.
In the context of a post-revolutionary Bangladesh, where the vision of a discrimination-free society has been forged in the fires of struggle and hope, these incidents are reminders of unfinished business. They frame a critical question: How can a nation that fought for equality and justice reconcile with such entrenched inequities?
This narrative challenges us to look beyond the surface, to see these moments not as aberrations but as reflections of systemic issues that require collective reckoning. The relevance lies in their resonance -- they compel us to confront the gap between the idealized vision of equality and the lived experiences of women.
By addressing these contradictions, we engage with the deeper cultural and societal shifts necessary to move from aspiration to action. This is what will create a Bangladesh where respect for women is not just symbolic but an everyday reality.
Sabyasachi Paul is Head of Strategy, HerNet Foundation.
