July Women’s Day observed

July uprising women activists, martyr families, and cultural activists on Monday observed July Women’s Day in recognition of women’s contributions to the student-led mass uprising that led to the ouster of the authoritarian regime of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024.

The event was organised at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in association with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs along with Dhaka University as part of a month-long programme to mark the first anniversary of the July mass uprising. 

The event consisted of film screening, drone show, musical performances and reminiscence  of turbulent days of the July uprising.

Dhaka University’s international business department professor Chowdhury Saima Ferdous, Students Against Discrimination movement coordinator Nusrat Tabassum, and families of some women martyrs spoke at the event.

Saima Ferdous said that the July warriors must remain united on the issue of women’s humiliation.

‘I feel proud of my students for their sacrifices, bravery and leadership. We don’t want to see any more violence but, we are ready to protest fascism and activities against Bangladesh,’ said Saima Ferdous.

Nusrat Tabassum said that they had participated in the July uprising as politically conscious citizens.

‘After the uprising, the condition of women remains unchanged in the country, which indicates that we have to continue the struggle,’ Nusrat Tabassum said, adding that women activists still suffered as much as during the fascist Sheikh Hasina regime.  

Popular musician Farzana Wahid Shayan, Parsha Mahjabeen Purnee, and Elita Karim sang solo songs while musical band troupes, including Ella La La, Samageet, Rebel, and F Minor, performed at the event.

Shayan said that those who tried to compare the July uprising with the 1971 Liberation War were not our friends

Produced by the cultural affairs ministry, two films titled ‘July Women’ and ‘July Bishad Sindhu’ were screened at the event.