In recognition of Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain’s immeasurable commitment to gender equality and social reform, the Sister Library organised a special event at the Goethe-Institute to mark Rokeya Day on her birth and death anniversary. Begum Rokeya’s famous feminist short story ‘Sultana’s Dream’ was read aloud at the Sister Library event, which was followed by a live zine-making workshop based on the narrative’s major themes. The reading of ‘Sultana’s Dream’ was done by members of the Bonhishikha team.
Theme: Strengthening feminist movements
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Gender Sensitisation Sessions for universities
In partnership with DW Akademie, Bonhishikha and Kotha organised gender sensitisation sessions in media and journalism departments of nine public and private universities in Bangladesh during January to March 2022. Through these sessions over 600 students were able to participate in discussions about gender identities and stereotypes, power and consent, and norms that perpetuate violence in the media, amongst others.
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Art for Activism Workshop
Bonhishikha hosted the ‘Art for Activism’ workshop in December 2023, where participants dove into various art forms to convey important messages about gender and sexuality. The workshop showcased how art can break down language barriers, express complex emotions, and advocate for social justice. We discussed the use of art to create powerful campaign materials that highlight systemic issues and inspire collective action for inclusive policies and equality.
Following this, we also had an internal team building session on ‘Making Work Fun’. This initiative aimed to foster a supportive and enjoyable workplace culture, and recognise that every team member juggles significant responsibilities both at work and in their personal lives. This was in alignment with our commitment to build a culture of care, focussing on individual wellbeing and the ability to bring our best with us.