On 20th June 2026, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad organized a commemorative programme marking the 115th birth anniversary of Begum Sufia Kamal, the founding president of the organization, a pioneer of women’s liberation, and a leading figure in Bangladesh’s social and cultural movements. The event, held at 3:30 PM at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium of Bangla Academy, featured the Sufia Kamal Memorial Lecture, the presentation of the Sufia Kamal Honorary Award, and a cultural programme.
The programme was presided over by Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad. Maleka Banu, General Secretary of the organization, delivered the welcome address. The main programme was moderated by Umme Salma Begum, Organizational Secretary, while the cultural segment was hosted by Khurshida Imam, Education and Cultural Affairs Secretary.
The cultural programme began with the offering of floral tributes to the portrait of Begum Sufia Kamal by distinguished guests, leaders, executive members, and staff of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
Following the tribute, a documentary titled “Eki Labonye Purno Prane: Janani Sahosika Kobi Sufia Kamal” was screened, highlighting the life and work of Begum Sufia Kamal. Prior to the screening, filmmaker and director Shamim Akhtar shared her experiences of producing the documentary. After the screening, renowned Rabindra Sangeet artist Iffat Ara Dewan performed, followed by a group musical presentation by artists of Chhayanaut.
The memorial lecture, titled “Walking in the Light of Sufia Kamal to Eliminate Misogyny, Hatred, and Violence Against Women,” was delivered by Professor Dr. Rezwana Karim Snigdha of the Department of Anthropology at Jahangirnagar University. Following the lecture, Shima Moslem, Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, read the auto biography of the award recipient. The Sufia Kamal Honorary Award was then presented to eminent artist Md. Abul Hashem Khan by Dr. Fauzia Moslem.
Documentary Director’s Reflections
Speaking about the documentary, filmmaker Shamim Akhtar emphasized the importance of introducing younger generations to Sufia Kamal’s life and philosophy. She noted that the film includes rare archival moments and stressed that understanding Sufia Kamal requires listening to her own words and the recollections of those who knew her personally.
Memorial Lecture by Professor Dr. Rezwana Karim Snigdha
Professor Dr. Rezwana Karim Snigdha argued that Sufia Kamal’s contributions cannot be fully understood by viewing her solely as a poet, social reformer, or women’s rights activist. She described Sufia Kamal as a transformative feminist thinker whose legacy lay in building the moral and cultural foundations necessary for women’s equal participation in knowledge production, culture, public life, and citizenship.
Drawing upon Sufia Kamal’s autobiography, literary works, editorial role at Begum magazine, organizational documents of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, and contemporary women’s experiences, the lecture incorporated insights from feminist scholars including Nancy Fraser, Carol Gilligan, Joan Tronto, Sara Ahmed, Judith Butler, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Naila Kabeer, Kate Manne, and Rita Segato.
Professor Snigdha highlighted that Sufia Kamal envisioned women not as objects of sympathy or dependence, but as dignified human beings and full citizens. Through Begum magazine, she created a platform where women could write, speak, and express their opinions. Her vision of women’s empowerment centered on enabling women to develop their own voices, ideas, and decision-making power. Rather than rejecting religion and culture, she sought to establish women’s dignity from within those frameworks.
She further observed that contemporary issues such as misogyny, gender-based violence, victim-blaming, and discrimination demonstrate that the struggle for women’s full citizenship remains relevant today. Sufia Kamal’s ideals continue to inspire efforts toward justice, equality, human dignity, and democratic social transformation.
Remarks by Award Recipient Md. Abul Hashem Khan
Receiving the Sufia Kamal Honorary Award, renowned artist Md. Abul Hashem Khan reflected on Sufia Kamal’s extraordinary humanity, which earned her widespread respect and affection. He noted that her compassion and courage inspired generations to stand against injustice and inequality.
He emphasized that the discussions presented during the programme encouraged deeper reflection on contemporary realities, particularly concerning women’s rights, safety, and social status. According to him, Sufia Kamal taught society that the struggle for rights never ends and that building a humane, democratic, and discrimination-free society requires continuous commitment. He also highlighted her enduring relevance for young people, demonstrating how courage, perseverance, empathy, and social responsibility can become powerful tools for social change.
Dr. Fauzia Moslem stressed the need for further research and renewed engagement with Sufia Kamal’s life and work to introduce her legacy to younger generations. She called for a fresh evaluation of Sufia Kamal’s contributions to women’s dignity, political rights, equality, and secular social development.
She described misogyny and violence against women as urgent political crises, stressing that women’s safety is a shared societal duty and that the women’s movement must include all genders.
Maleka Banu noted the challenge of capturing Sufia Kamal’s extraordinary life in a 35-minute documentary. She hailed Kamal’s journey from a young bride in a conservative Barishal family to a fearless leader in literature, education, and women’s rights as deeply inspiring. Banu added that Kamal’s lifelong dedication to justice and human welfare offers enduring lessons for younger generations on resilience and social transformation.
The programme was attended by approximately 500 participants, including distinguished members of civil society, representatives of Social Resistance Committees, leaders and members of the central and Dhaka metropolitan committees of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, organizers from Dhaka, Belabo, Narayanganj, and Tongi, as well as journalists from print and electronic media.
