Speakers at a programme on Sunday said economic shocks and rise of populist agendas have affected space for advocating women's rights and gender equality agendas across South Asia.
Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan have all experienced economic and political shifts that have polarised public discourse on gender equality, they said.
They also lauded the contribution of girls and women during the anti-discrimination student movement that led to the July uprising and the ouster of Sheikh Hasina-led autocratic regime on August 5 this year.
They were speaking at a two-day event styled "National Conference on Women's Movement Navigating Change in South Asia: Building Solidarity and Resisting Backlash."
The event was organised by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University, and the Sustaining Power: Women's Struggles against Contemporary Backlash in South Asia (SuPWR) project held at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in Dhaka.
Chair of Bangladesh Women's Affairs Reform Commission Shireen Pervin Huq, who spoke as the chief guest, said it is important to understand the contentions underlying the backlash against women's rights movements.
Lauding the contribution of girls and women during the anti-discrimination movement, she said, "It was inspiring for my generation of women to see hundreds of thousands of girls and women took to the streets [during the July uprising], not fearing pushback or repercussions."
In his opening remarks, Executive Director of BIGD Imran Matin, questioned the extent to which progressivity has been inclusive. "It is important that we question progressivity and critically examine backlash to chart a way forward in advocating [for women's rights]," he said.
Speakers also emphasised the importance of participating in social movements to affect change.
"We don't just want to contribute to the literature surrounding social movements, but be active agents of social change," said Senior Fellow at BIGD Maheen Sultan.
The daylong conference brought together researchers, gender justice struggles in Bangladesh that have been researched, and academics and practitioners to share insights and findings from cross-regional analyses.
The conference presented regional and national SuPWR research findings and lessons to influence academics and practitioners' debates on backlash, women's movements, and political transitions in three sessions.
SuPWR is coordinated by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and works with four partners in South Asia: BIGD in Bangladesh; ISST in India; IDEAS, LUMS in Pakistan; and CARE in Nepal.
An exhibition showcasing a selection of the artwork, photo stories, and audiovisual outputs from the gender justice struggles that participated in the research will also be held today at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro. The exhibition will be open to the public from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
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