Bangladesh’s July Uprising: Unsung Female Leaders Seek Recognition
Two years after the historic July Mass Uprising reshaped Bangladesh’s political landscape, women who played a central role in the movement are now asking why their contributions remain largely unrecognised. Many feel sidelined, despite being at the forefront of the protests that led to significant political change.
On Tuesday evening, the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) in Dhaka hosted the July Women’s Assembly 2026. This event, organised by Jatiya Nari Shakti, the female branch of the National Citizen Party (NCP), marked the second anniversary of the uprising. Women who participated in the mass movement gathered to discuss their disappointment and the lack of their presence in current public life.
The July Mass Uprising led to the fall of the then Awami League government on August 5, 2024. A key moment occurred on July 14 when then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina spoke critically of student quota reform protesters. That same night, female students, alongside male students, broke into women’s dorms at Dhaka University and gathered to protest. The next day, students were attacked, cementing these events as turning points in the uprising.
Nahid Islam, Convener of the NCP and Chief Whip of the Opposition in Parliament, attended the assembly as the main guest. He admitted that questions about the absence of women from the uprising’s forefront today were “valid.” He stressed that despite their important sacrifices, women’s efforts have not been properly acknowledged in society, political parties, or national politics over the past two years.
Farida Akhter, a former adviser to the interim government, also spoke at the gathering. She highlighted the ongoing need for quotas to support disadvantaged women. She also shared her regret that the country’s government structure has not seen meaningful reforms since the July uprising.
The assembly was chaired by Monira Sharmin, convener of Jatiya Nari Shakti. Other speakers included Nusrat Tabassum, a reserved-seat member of parliament, and Umma Uswatun Rafia from the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union. The discussions focused on how to better include women in the country’s political future and ensure their historical contributions are remembered. Participants called for a closer look at why women’s roles have diminished and how this pattern can be changed.
