March 8 is celebrated worldwide as International Women’s Day, and this year is no exception. The theme for this year, “For All Women & Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment,” resonates deeply with the values that Bangladesh Feminist Archives upholds. We extend our warmest wishes to every woman on this day, celebrating their strength, resilience, and contributions to society.
However, this year’s Women’s Day in Bangladesh comes at a time when women’s safety is at an all-time low. Daily media reports reveal an alarming rise in cases of rape, harassment, and domestic violence. Each story is more heartbreaking than the last. Eve-teasing has become rampant, and moral policing of women is an ever-present threat. Despite these harsh realities, the judicial system continues to fail survivors, allowing perpetrators of rape and domestic abuse to walk free.
This is a tragic contrast to the heroic role women played in the July Uprising, where they fought for a better future for Bangladesh. Yet, that dream remains unfulfilled, and achieving real change will take time, persistence, and collective action.
Bangladesh Feminist Archives stands firmly with everyone fighting for social and political change to build a more inclusive and just society for women. Let this International Women’s Day be a reminder that true rights, equality, and empowerment must extend beyond slogans—it must translate into action.
Jin. Jiyan. Azadi!
(Women, Life, Freedom)
This powerful slogan, which originated from Kurdish women’s struggles for autonomy, gained worldwide recognition during the 2022 women’s movement in Iran. The movement emerged in response to the Iranian state’s moral policing, particularly after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for not wearing a hijab and later died in custody.
Photo and written by: Sadman Ahmed Siam
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 