Birth and death anniversary of Begum Rokeya: Why Begum Rokeya is now more relevant than ever

In 2024, a movie called 'Stree 2' became the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time. The film, much like its predecessor, flipped societal norms by depicting men as the ones living in fear, bound by curfews–quite a reflection of restrictions historically imposed on women. 

The year before, 'Barbie' dominated the global box office, offering another take on reversing power dynamics. Its fantastical world sidelined men like Ken, depicting them as dependent, while Barbie grappled with her identity against the stark realities of a patriarchal society.

Yet, for all their cultural impact, neither film presented a truly groundbreaking idea. That distinction belongs to a visionary from our own land who imagined something similar over a century ago.

Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain (1880–1932), known fondly as Begum Rokeya, wrote 'Sultana's Dream,' a novella first published in 1905 in The Indian Ladies' Magazine. 

In 'Sultana's Dream,' Rokeya imagined Ladyland, a feminist utopia where the social order was entirely transformed. Women, equipped with "sharper brains," took the reins of scientific progress, inventing groundbreaking technologies like solar cookers, atmospheric water generators, and flying cars. Crime, epidemics, and even the death penalty were eradicated, paving the way for peace and innovation. Meanwhile, men were confined indoors, responsible for childcare and household chores.

The novella itself took on new life in 2023 through a Spanish-language animated film adaptation. Earlier this year, UNESCO further cemented its legacy by inscribing the novella into the Memory of the World Regional Register, recognising it as a monumental contribution to human imagination and innovation.

Why the novella appeals so strongly to this day is rather straightforward. Contrary to some interpretations, Begum Rokeya didn't genuinely wish to see a woman-dominated society where men were relegated to domestic duties. Rather, through her bold depiction of a reversed social order, she sought to highlight the unjust oppression that women faced and demonstrate the vast potential they could unlock if given the same opportunities as men. 

Her vision was not about superiority but about equality, where both genders could contribute equally to societal progress. And today's progressive world seems to be in alignment with the thoughts she had articulated such a long time ago.

Unfortunately though, in Begum Rokeya's own homeland, Bangladesh, her legacy has become a somewhat polarising and controversial site. 20 years ago, she was ranked as the sixth greatest Bangali of all time in a BBC poll. But today, the cultural reverence she once commanded has been marred by relentless criticism.

Scroll through the comment box of any Facebook post about Begum Rokeya, and you will come across numerous derogatory remarks, with many accusing her of "leading the women of Bangladesh astray."

This past November alone saw several offline efforts to undermine her legacy as well. 

At Rangpur's Begum Rokeya University, a faction of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor, demanding the institution's name be reverted to its original "Rangpur University." They argued that Rokeya's name was overly associated with political movements and was therefore unsuitable for an educational institution.

Even at Dhaka University, graffiti featuring Rokeya was defaced with black spray paint. The individual responsible claimed the images were a distraction during prayer.

While these incidents reflect the growing challenge of preserving Begum Rokeya's legacy, one does not really require a degree in rocket science to understand the deeper agenda that drives these actions. The effort to undermine her legacy is not merely an attack on her but on the very principles she championed.

Take the July uprising, for instance, which led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina's 16-year autocratic regime. From organising and leading protests on the streets to providing food and medical assistance and spreading awareness online, women protesters were instrumental in driving the success of the movement.

Overall, at least seven women were killed in the July uprising, as per government data. Yet, their stories are now almost forgotten, their heroics overshadowed by a male-dominated narrative.

Last month, speaking at a dialogue titled "Where Did the Women Go?" at the National Press Club in Dhaka, female protesters criticised the interim government and other authorities for excluding women from decision-making roles.

"Since the uprising, there has been a concerted effort to marginalise women," said Umama Fatema, spokesperson for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. 

"When the boys were detained, we girls led the way. But after 5 August, I completely vanished  from the narrative. The boys were being celebrated as heroes. I began to experience an identity crisis. At first, I thought it was just me, but I realised that all the women students who participated in the movement felt the same way."

Fatema added, "Women leaders were targeted and harassed on social media, but no action was taken, further silencing and marginalising them."

And now, looking at the bigger picture, the same marginalisation is evident across Bangladeshi society. 

Women make up 36% of the labour force, primarily in low-paying sectors like agriculture and garment manufacturing, where they face poor working conditions and limited rights.

Despite their crucial role in Bangladesh's economic growth, especially in the garment industry, which accounts for 80% of the country's exports, women earn 30% less than men in this sector.

Gender-based violence affects 87% of women, and political underrepresentation remains stark, with women holding only 20% of parliamentary seats. 

The biggest worry lies in the education sector. Despite outperforming boys in SSC and HSC exams for years, Bangladeshi girls struggle to translate their academic success into higher education, research, and careers due to systemic and societal barriers. 

While girls excel in public exams, their representation in tertiary education remains low, with only 36.3% at university level. Factors like early marriage, household responsibilities, lack of support in STEM education, inadequate higher education infrastructure, and societal norms prioritising domestic roles hinder their progress. 

Even in professional sectors, women's participation in leadership and STEM fields is limited, reflecting deep-rooted gender disparities despite improvements in secondary education.

Thus, it's not surprising that when public figures speak in derogatory terms about women, they gain overnight success. A striking example is Tanzim Hasan Sakib, a young national cricketer.

Last year, one of Tanzim's old Facebook posts went viral where he wrote: "If the wife works (outside home), the husband's rights are not fulfilled; if the wife works, the child's rights are not fulfilled; if the wife works, her charm is lost; if the wife works, the family is destroyed; if the wife works, the screen is destroyed; if the wife works, the society is destroyed."  

And the up-and-coming cricketer didn't stop just there. In another post, which he eventually removed, he expressed: "Marrying a girl who is used to the free-mixing hangouts of university life means you will never be able to provide a dignified mother for your child."

With such posts, he resonated deeply with the majority of the country's population. As a result, no matter what his on-field performance has been ever since, he remained one of the fan favourites. 

But of course, if we really want a more inclusive society where girls and women will be on their own to shine bright, we need to amplify encouraging voices that can drown out the voices of idols like Tanzim.

That's why Begum Rokeya remains as relevant as ever. She is regarded as a pioneer for encouraging women to step out of their homes and pursue education, and her influence is still very much needed today.

Rekindling her lessons can guide Bangladesh toward a more equitable society, where women's contributions are valued, and their potential fully realised. Embracing her vision today is key to building a future where everyone, regardless of gender, has equal opportunities to thrive.