Kabeer (2025): Multiple pathways to personhood: How Bangladeshi women managed to renegotiate patriarchy

introduction

This guide focuses on the differences between Western Feminism and Feminism in Bangladesh, exploring gender norms and resistance within various social contexts.

The Bangladesh Paradox

  • Historical Context:

    • Upon gaining independence in 1971, Bangladesh faced severe socio-economic challenges, including extreme poverty, high fertility rates leading to population overflow, an unstable economy, food shortages, widespread malnutrition, and prevailing patriarchal structures.

    • The country struggled with malnutrition, illiteracy, and low life expectancy, compounded by ineffective governance and regimes lacking accountability.

  • Unexpected Progress:

    • Despite these challenges, within a decade or so, Bangladesh began to show remarkable improvements in various social indicators (e.g., health, fertility, nutrition, life expectancy, and education), a phenomenon known as the "Bangladesh Paradox."

    • It is significant that this progress occurred alongside a decrease in traditional gender inequalities that had persisted for generations.

  • Cultural Shifts in Gender Value:

    • Previously characterised by a strong preference for sons, the societal value of daughters has improved, resulting in higher female survival rates during early developmental years than males—a reversal of previous norms.

Islam and Gender Norms

  • Contextual Understanding of Islam in Bangladesh:

    • In her book "Renegotiating Patriarchy", Naila Kabeer discusses how Islam in Bangladesh is not monolithically oppressive to women but rather a complex interplay with cultural beliefs.

    • The amalgamation of various historical and religious influences such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and folk traditions has contributed to a unique interpretation of Islam that informs both societal norms and individual beliefs.

    • This blend of traditions has allowed women to challenge patriarchal structures while remaining within their religious framework.

  • Women’s Agency:

    • Women in Bangladesh have redefined patriarchal norms to advocate for their rights and economic independence. Educational aspirations are a core motivating factor, as mothers strive to provide daughters with opportunities not afforded to them, enabling a stronger sense of self-worth and empowerment.

Influence of Orthodox Islam

  • Counter Movements:

    • Despite the progress, there are ongoing attempts by groups advocating for a more orthodox interpretation of Islam, which aim to suppress culturally embedded practices and beliefs.

    • Tensions have arisen as these groups express opposition to changes made by women advocating for rights and equality, calling for adherence to stricter, more traditional values.

Personhood and Resistance

  • Lila Abou-Lughod's Reflection:

    • Abou-Lughod critiques the Western narrative of saving Muslim women, positing that women may prioritise values such as piety, family, and cultural continuity over the indices of emancipation as defined by Western feminists.

    • The Bangladesh experience emphasises that women derive personhood through diverse lenses that do not neatly align with Western ideologies.

  • Post 2024 Uprising:

    • The July Uprising of 2024, a student-led movement striving against autocracy, highlighted these contestations over gender rights and orthodoxy. The movement’s aims were broad, but the involvement of women suggested a call for greater gender equality.

    • However, groups advocating for strict interpretations of Islam resisted this movement’s demands, asserting that such progress was antithetical to their values.

Conclusion

  • The intricacies of feminism in Bangladesh reveal that women's struggles and avenues toward personhood can diverge significantly from Western assumptions. The discussion encourages an understanding of gender norms as more context-dependent and complex, offering insights into the evolving nature of womanhood across varying cultural frameworks.

About the Author: Naila Kabeer

  • Naila Kabeer is a Professor of Gender and Development at the London School of Economics and a recognised expert in the fields of gender equality and social justice. Her work has significantly contributed to understanding the nuances of women’s agency and empowerment in various socio-economic contexts.