Shahin Shihad, Manager, DSE
The Genesis story with a logical lens unveils that Satan’s enticement of Eve can be understood as a deliberate targeting of the source of life. Eve was not simply deceived; she was targeted because of her immense significance. she was not approached because of weakness, but because of her enormous influence as the life-giver. And if women are the bearers of life, then why they are treated as secondary figures without honoring them as rightful stewards of the world?
From the dawn of creation, woman is silently bearing the continuity of humanity. In sacred texts, she is honored as the vessel of life. In the Bible, Eve is called the “mother of all living.” In the Al-Qur’an, women are described as partners in dignity and guardians of family. Hindu scriptures exalt her as Shakti-the divine energy without which the universe cannot move. Religion, at its core, recognizes her as central to existence, even if our society has often failed to uphold that truth.
History, however, tells a harsher story. In many civilizations, women were denied education, silenced in assemblies, and treated as property. Ancient Athens celebrated democracy but excluded women from citizenship. In medieval Europe, women were bound by patriarchal laws. Yet, even in these constraints, women grew queens, poets, philosophers, and revolutionaries.
Even in mythology, we find the same cruel juxtaposition which expose the paradox of womanhood. Pandora is blamed for opening the box leaving all woes but the most vital gift of human being ‘hope’ was preserved even by her. Persephone was badly treated by dragging her into the underworld, whereas her suffering shaped the rhythm of seasons. In Hindu epics, Sita endured exile and suspicion, while Durga fought demons to save the world. These stories remind us that women’s pain and power are inseparable, that their sacrifices sustain life itself.
Human civilization has been nurtured and sustained largely through the contributions of women. From birth-giving to cultural preservation, women have played a far greater role in shaping society in a proper, cultured way than men. Yet, paradoxically, the patriarchal vibe continues to dominate, often sidelining women’s contributions, voices and rights.
Today, women still carry invisible burdens. In homes, they sacrifice dreams for family. In workplaces, they face exploitation disguised as equality. In media, they are reduced to shallow images like beauty icons, obedient figures, perfect homemakers. Society demands patience, sacrifice, and devotion from them withholding recognition. The cruelty lies not in the expectations, but in the nature of refusal to see women as individuals rather than roles.
There are examples of more peaceful societies where women are revered. In countries like Iceland, gender equality is not just policy but practice. In Bhutan, women inherit family land, symbolizing their centrality in community life. In many Indigenous cultures, women are seen as wisdom keepers and spiritual leaders. These examples prove that respect is not a utopian dream but a lived reality and this practice can bring the real peace of human life.
Bangladesh’s history is inseparable from women’s resilience and conventional negligence at the same time. Begum Rokeya, in the early 20th century, envisioned a society where women were free, educated, and equal to men challenging the rigid patriarchy of colonial Bengal. During the Liberation War of 1971, women risked their lives to shelter freedom fighters and endured mass sexual violence, later honored as Birangona, the war heroines. These sacrifices laid the foundation of the nation, yet the recognition they received was symbolic rather than structural, leaving generations of women to continue fighting for equality. Corporate Bangladesh frequently celebrates International Women’s Day with events and photo sessions, but these symbolic gestures rarely translate into sustainable change. Reports highlight a disconnection between policy and practice, where diversity programs exist only on paper but fail to protect women from exploitation and harassment.
Biting the hand that feeds, becomes the habit of this male dominated society. Women in Bangladesh, despite their immense contributions to society, remain dominated by patriarchal norms because cultural institutions like cinema, religion, and media often reinforce submissive and dependent portrayals of women, shaping public attitudes and legitimizing male authority. Bangladeshi movies frequently depict women as weak, compassionate, and dependent on men. They are commonly sexualized, portrayed as victims, or downgraded to secondary roles. This cinematic pattern normalizes women’s submissiveness and reinforces patriarchal expectations in society. In addition, patriarchal religious leaders and institutions discourage women’s leadership roles, framing submission as virtue.
The discomfort society shows when a woman smokes in public or casually stands at a tea stall sipping tea is not about the act itself, but about the patriarchal codes of “honor” that confine women to certain spaces and behaviors. In Bangladesh and many other societies, smoking or hanging out at tea stalls has been culturally coded as “male” behavior, while women are expected to embody modesty, restraint, and domesticity. The patriarchal society does not feel comfort to follow the portrayal of Begum Rokeya and contribution in the liberation war but the so called for- profit cinemas.
A woman, whether she is a girl, a mother, or a sister, should ideally be treated with dignity, respect, and affection at every stage of her life. As a girl, she deserves the freedom to dream, to learn, and to choose her own path without being confined by patriarchal expectations. As a sister, she should be cherished as a companion, not burdened with unequal responsibilities. As a mother, she should be honored for her sacrifices and given equal partnership in family and social decisions, not reduced to silent labor. In every role, a woman’s individuality must be recognized, her voice must be heard, and her contributions must be valued. A truly cultured society is one where women are not merely tolerated but celebrated as equal heirs of humanity.
Despite centuries of pain, women remain the center of happiness. A mother’s smile heals wounds, a daughter’s laughter brightens homes, a wife’s support lifts burdens. They turn humiliation into strength, silence into resilience, sacrifice into joy. Just as the earth nurtures life without reward, women nurture humanity without recognition. They are the heartbeat of existence.
To celebrate women is to celebrate life itself. Without them, there is no family, no society, no humanity. But posting photos of mothers or grandmothers on Mother’s Day or Women’s Day may look affectionate, but it often reduces their greatness to a symbolic gesture. The true grandeur of womanhood is not captured in a picture frame only. To honor them is not to pacify with posts, but to recognize their value in everyday life, to revere them from the heart, and to respect their wants as much as their duties. Real tribute means giving women dignity, freedom, and equality, not confining them in the name of honor.
