Feminism is evolving around the globe. Through diverse projects, we have been exploring how young Bangladeshis approach and explore questions on the subject. Outcomes include reading circles, essays, podcasts, deep listening experiences, visual art, poems, illustrations, a conference and a magazine.
With DW Akademie and four universities, we initiated a platform for journalism students from across the country to further the discussion on feminism. In teams of two, students interview artists and cultural practitioners.
Is the imagination pure? Cassandra’s end, in the Greek myth, is a night just beyond the grasp of justice; her eyes become her fatal calling, for her vision of the Fall of Troy frightens the men around her. Even ‘the gods,’ Apollo.
Our Young Feminism Network leveraged their work and passion to create various on-site and online events across generations, genders, class, Bangladesh, Germany, UK, and India to discuss contemporary societal questions along with the International Women’s Day 2022.
Click to get to four recorded panel discussions / Schauen Sie sich hier alle Podiumsdiskussionen an
Photograph of Paddmini Chakma. The show exhibited the portraits of nine young feminists of Bangladesh, layered on top of which are maps of significant areas in Bangladesh where a sexual assault had taken place. Each of these photographs capture the indomitable spirit of the feminist who despite the toxic misogynistic culture always fight back.
The artist and her mother at the exhibition. Through a video clip the visitor was able to experience an intimate conversation between the artist Ashfika Rahman and their mother, a single mother and social activist, paving the way for the next generation of feminists. Rahman attempts to represent the conversations between women across various generations
"’Break the rules, smash the patriarchy, I belong too’ - symbolizing these ongoing narratives around feminism, we felt the need for a conversation between the older generation who have fought for our rights and the younger generation of feminists who might be facing new challenges. We all came together to offer a platform to understand their perspectives and their desire to contribute to the cause," opening speech by Dr. Kirsten Hackenbroch, Director, Goethe-Institut Bangladesh (middle) with the representative of the project partner Priya Esselborn, Program Director, Bangladesh (India, Afghanistan), DW Akademie (left) and Ashfika Rahman, Artist and Curator (right)
A documentary clip exhibiting the opinions of strangers; their faced pixelated in order to keep their identity anonymous on the streets of Dhaka were asked to share their ideas on feminism bringing forth the reality of the existing misogynistic perception and religious stigmas surrounding the issue. "Although the clips aware us on the narrow-minded perception of most people towards women in Bangladesh, we have to understand that it is not entirely their fault. In order to succeed in this movement, we need to determine why they hold this view and subsequently work towards changing it in a way that makes feminism a part of people's consciousness." shares Ashfika Rahman. (Film still photographed by Snighdha Sultana)
Poems by Aahir Mrittika from their debut collection of poems The Unforgiving City and I, illustrated by Meheruba Hasin. Photographed by Snighdha Sultana
Visitors at the exhibition that took place at DrikPath Bhaban along with a gender worksop, an artist talk, poetry recitals, a musical performance, and various conversations, from 6-8 March 2022. Photographed by Snighdha Sultana
A multimedia exhibition by artists of the Young Feminism Network provided a holistic insight of the generation’s zeitgeist. Curator and artist Ashfika Rahman attempted to represent conversations through the exploration of the feminism consciousness.
The Unforgiving City and I
With Bengal Publications, we published young writer Aahir Mrittika’s debut collection of poems. Set in Dhaka, the poems avenge and memorialize the heartache of growing up in the city as a young girl. Aahir is a 20-year-old writer and activist from Mohammadpur, Dhaka.
