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The role, rewards and challenges of women in the anti-discrimination movement

Published : Friday, 8 November, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 552
Jeba Mobashwira
Women's participation in Bangladesh's 2024 anti-discrimination movement has been both remarkable and transformative.  Although their contributions were often overshadowed, their roles became essential in shaping these movements. Yet, despite their remarkable efforts, women have continued to face substantial limitations, primarily driven by cultural, social, and structural barriers. 

Initially, women's participation in the movement was relatively limited; however, after July 14, 2024, female students from Rokeya Hall decisively broke through physical barriers, symbolically and literally, as they took to the streets to join the protest. When images of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) members attacking protesters went viral, they touched the hearts of the nation, enraged women, and drew more female participants into the movement, intensifying its momentum. The sight of two female students and a little girl, with bloodied face and terrified with askew glasses, wrinkled in fear of being beaten by the BCL, galvanized even more women to join the protests.

This was a distinct scenario compared to previous movements in Bangladesh, where women's direct presence was not as prominent. In contrast, the 2024 movement demonstrated a new era of direct involvement by women.Female students took to the streets to shield their brothers, while mothers marched to protect their children. Females were not only present but also led the protests, standing side by side with their male counterparts to demand equality and justice.  

Perhaps the most surprising aspect was the participation of women who benefited from the quota system itself. These women, despite having a 10% reserved quota, stood against the policy, recognizing that it perpetuated inequality. They raised slogans such as, 'Where women are advanced, quotas for them are ridiculous' , 'Where women are exceptional, quotas are a humiliation' and 'Women do not want a women's quota'.This act of solidarity inspires the general public and leads to a broader discussion on whether the quota system is still necessary for women.

Although men and women engaged collectively and stood together in these movements, the challenges they confronted were notably different. Compared to female participants, male participants found shelter and support more easily, particularly in student dormitories or hostels. In contrast, women often had to return home when all university halls were closed per government instructions, which limited their ability to engage in the movement continuously. Families, particularly parents, were often more worried about the impact of participation on their daughters' futures, fearing arrest, physical harm, or societal backlash.These concerns led to many women facing pressure to either avoid participating or downplay their involvement.

Though some parents encouraged their daughters to participate, many barred female students due to social stigma, with concerns about their reputations and marriage prospects looming large. Nevertheless, many continued to advocate through online activism. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram became essential tools for these women to raise awareness and share updates, ensuring that the movement reached a global audience. Their resilience in standing up against discrimination, even under significant pressure, highlighted their determination and strength.

The rewards for women following the movement were not as evident as those for men.Women did not receive proportional representation in advisory bodies or media coverage, despite their significant contributions. However, their most important victory is their ability to make their voices heard.The movement demonstrated that women were no longer passive observers in the fight for justice and state governance-they were active participants, capable of making substantial changes.

The most important lesson of this movement was the realization that when both men and women are equally empowered and work side by side, they can drive significant societal transformation. While tangible rewards such as leadership positions may not have been fully realized, the empowerment and recognition that women gained through the anti-discrimination movement of 2024 were undeniable steps toward equality, marking a pivotal moment for women's empowerment and serving as a catalyst for greater gender equality and societal change in Bangladesh. 

The ongoing discussions surrounding women's empowerment in Bangladesh, particularly in the context of the 2024 anti-discrimination movement, are deeply rooted in the constitutional provisions of gender equality guaranteed under Article 28(2) of the Constitution of Bangladesh. However, Article 28(4) allows the state to make special provisions for women, children, or any disadvantaged section of the population. Historically, this has been the justification for the reservation of a certain percentage of quotas for women in education, employment, and other areas, recognizing them as part of a historically marginalized section.

The July 2024 High Court Division ruling, along with a government circular removing the female quota in government jobs and the protests led by female students advocating for merit-based equality, urges  a reassessment of the relevance of Articles 28(4) and 29(3)(a) of the Constitution. However, the 2024 anti-discrimination movement was more than just a protest; it marked a significant milestone where women were not only fighting for justice but also critically examining the very structures that had once supported them.Their vocal opposition to the quota system underscored the complexity of achieving gender equality, demonstrating that true empowerment is not about privilege or special treatment but about fostering genuine equity and meritocracy.This change is deeply symbolic of a new direction for women's empowerment. 

The writer is a Student,Master of laws(LLM),Bangladesh University of Professionals


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