Dhaka: In the aftermath of Bangladesh’s historic student-peoples uprising in July 2024, which led to the removal of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the promise of democratic reform and gender justice has begun to unravel. Amid escalating violence and a surge in reactionary politics, women who once stood at the forefront of protests are now facing censorship, threats, and state complicity. At the heart of this regression is Nadira Yeasmin, a feminist academic and vocal advocate for equal inheritance rights, who has become a prime target of Islamist backlash.
According to Global Voices, since the formation of the interim government on August 5, 2024, the country has witnessed a troubling rise in criminal activities, fueled by the deteriorating law and order mechanisms in the country. Violence against women has escalated alarmingly, with a surge in sexual assault, cyber abuse, and mob justice. Many women who once led the charge in last year’s anti-Hasina protests are now being systematically sidelined, scapegoated, and silenced. The collective hope for a more just and democratic future that once fueled the streets has given way, for many, to fear.
Nowhere is this shift more visible than in the backlash to a recently released draft report by the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, which proposed reforms including equal inheritance rights for women—a move that has ignited fury among the Islamist hardliners across the country. Conservative groups and political parties, such as Hefazat-e-Islam, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and Khelafat Majlis, have denounced the report for allegedly violating Sharia principles. They have expressed strong objections to the proposal for a uniform family code to replace religion-based personal laws and the recommendation to recognize sex work as legitimate labor. On May 3, thousands marched through the streets of Dhaka, accusing the commission of disregarding religious and cultural sensitivities, and a writ was filed against the report on May 4.
In an interview with Abhimanyu Bandyopadhyay via email, Nadira Yeasmin discussed the coordinated efforts to silence women’s voices in post-uprising Bangladesh. She explained how her public criticism of Hefazat-e-Islam’s rally in Dhaka and her advocacy for the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission report have made her a target for conservative groups. These groups have launched coordinated social media attacks and cyber-harassment campaigns against her, labeling her as anti-Islam.
Yeasmin’s sudden transfer to Satkhira, a district dominated by ultra-conservative forces, drew widespread attention. She described it as a calculated measure to silence her, as it was not a routine transfer. Despite these challenges, Yeasmin continues to work remotely from Dhaka and remains committed to advocating for women’s rights.
Yeasmin criticized the interim government’s role, expressing disappointment that the spirit of the July Uprising has not translated into lasting change. She highlighted the surge in gender-based violence since August, noting that religion is being weaponized to deprive women of property and power.
Yeasmin emphasized the importance of continuing the fight for women’s property rights in Bangladesh, despite the long and challenging road ahead. She pointed out the severe legal and social restrictions faced by women of different faiths regarding inheritance.
The commission’s proposal to recognize sex work as labor has sparked controversy. Yeasmin expressed the need for a more thoughtful approach, focusing on rehabilitation and social security for sex workers rather than purely categorizing it as labor. Despite the challenges, Yeasmin remains hopeful for a transformative change.
Yeasmin concluded by affirming her belief in a hopeful future for the women of Bangladesh, emphasizing that women’s rights are intertwined with the rights of the broader working class. She acknowledged the extraordinary courage of Bangladeshi women in their ongoing struggle for justice and equality.