The Intiator

Bangladesh belongs to what has been described as a belt of ‘classic patriarchy’ which stretches from northern Africa across the Middle East to the northern plains of the Indian sub-continent. The social structures in this belt are characterized by their institutionalization of extremely restrictive codes of behavior for women. They stand in marked contrast to the societies of south India and much of Southeast Asia whose institutions and practices permit a more egalitarian system of gender relations.

In as much as both Muslim and non-Muslim societies are encompassed within this belt, religion at times is partially implicated in their extreme forms of female subordination. What the societies have in common is the practice of rigid gender segregation, specific forms of family and kinship, and a powerful ideology linking family honor to female virtue. Men are entrusted with safeguarding family honor through their control over female members; they are backed by complex social arrangements which ensure the protection—and dependence—of women. In such shackled societal norms, many women came victorious from breaking the caste and pioneered the way towards path-breaking development in the society, economy, and in all spheres of our life. My work has been utterly minuscule to bring out 50 of such pathbreakers to shed some light on their journey as well creating inspiration out of them for future generations.

– M M Zahidur Rahman, Professional photographer & filmmaker