Thesis (Bachelor of Social Sciences in Anthropology)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10361/28400

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Open Access
The negotiating patterns of female vendors: a case from Dhaka city
(BRAC University, 2024-02) Kabir, Taharima; Tamanna, Meheri; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
Street vending is one of the most important informal occupations in Bangladesh. Due to its easy availability and minimal skills requirement, this occupation became very popular with the urban poor. The country’s economic growth after the 90’s expanded the informal sector which resulted in a massive influx of migrants. As a result, many urban poor women started to join the garment industries and others joined in the informal sector like vending. Though males and females are working as vendors in Dhaka public space, this study observed a gender difference. In the same public space males and females are perceived and treated differently because of the patriarchal norms. As a result, the negotiation patterns of males and females are different. This study analyzes that women vendors in Dhaka city use different strategies to negotiate their livelihoods in public spaces. Using in-depth interviews with over 10 respondents in Dhaka city this study identified the challenges and explored the factors behind different negotiating patterns of stationary women vendors in urban space.
Open Access
The forbidden arts: family, faith, and cultural capital in Muslim middle class Dhaka
(BRAC University, 2025-06) Ahmed, Proteeti; Rahman, Shahidur; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
South Asian culture is colourful, vibrant, and rich with a centuries old history of art and music, language and literature, food and festivals. The iconography for this region is distinct in its portrayal of both the mortal and the divine. But what does it look like when not taken out of context and aggrandized for an audience? The stereotypical portrayal of a young hopeful eager to take taleem from a guru in exchange for serving his household is no longer applicable. So then who is carrying on the proverbial torch and what does that look like in the 21st century? The purpose of this paper is to explore how traditional music, art, and culture are being practised today, and by whom. To that end, data has been collected first hand in the form of interviews, and then thematic analysis has been performed on the resultant information. This includes testimonies from fifteen individuals with middle-class muslim backgrounds in Dhaka, which were then dissected to observe the relationships between their participation in different cultural practices (which include performing and fine arts), and themes of faith, family, and finances. The subsequent findings highlight the mesh that is created from the interconnected strings of those relationships. The main goal here was to observe the impact of said themes as factors through a lens separate from one of stereotypical perceptions and Western ostracization, rather one of real representation and pragmatic scope instead. The final fact of the matter is that it is this grass root level participation and cultural propagation that keeps these traditions alive, and it is imperative that we study them so that preservation efforts can be maintained.
Open Access
Between safety and solidarity: international students' perspectives on the July revolution in Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2024-03) Bhandari, Chura Moni; Chowdhury, Moiyen Zalal; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
This research examines the understanding of participation and obstacles that international students in Bangladesh faced during the youth uprising of 2024 known as the July Revolution. Through interviews and qualitative research methods, the study investigates the relationship between cultural background legal obstacles, and online activism which affected their connection to the movement. Those students who come from politically restricted countries like Bhutan and Tanzania focused on staying safe while maintaining their academic achievements but the students from activist countries such as Nigeria and Uganda showed solidarity yet took safety precautions. The media platform’s role was focused on delivering immediate news and misleading information simultaneously which compelled students to create critical verification systems to assess information truthfulness. This research shows that Hofstede’s cultural dimensions specifically power distance and uncertainty avoidance determine how individuals perceive risk and participate in it. Some students overcame obstacles to participate in transnational solidarity programs through digital activism resulting in global protests being spread internationally. International student activism abroad results from the convergence of personal identity with structural restrictions along with the process of political education. The study makes valuable contributions to scholarly research about youth activism together with online engagement and cross-border connection during times of educational globalization. I recommend developing inclusion-based policies that protect foreign students from political disturbances yet promote active participation. The July Revolution demonstrates how transnational activism can potentially link activists but also demonstrates restrictions that require attention to media literacy and protected dissident areas.
Open Access
Exploring the Urs as a socio-spiritual practice in Sufism
(BRAC University, 2025-05) Sara, Simran Shahriar; Chowdhury, Moiyen Zalal; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
The Sufi beliefs have heavily influenced Bangladesh's religious and cultural environment and people’s faith ultimately taking position in the political and economic domains. Though there is extensive research on Sufism, little is known about its major rite, the Urs. Unanswered questions include who organizes the events, arranges the ceremony, why it is held, and what its current significance is. In order to fill that gap, this study conducted Seven key informant interviews (KII) and thirteen in-person interviews. Moreover, the social spiritual, and political implications of Urs were analyzed through this interview. Also, Texas Lottery of the six-day description honoring Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, which is observed every year. At Dhaka the study was conducted. The result showcases how state participation in the Mazar administration challenges the structures of the establishment, and its legitimacy and spiritual authority are challenged by traditional beliefs. Talal Asad, Michel Foucault, Saba Mahmood, and Clifford Geertz applied theory are this study. Mahmood's concept of embodied piety emphasizes women's devotional roles; Foucault's idea of heterotopia shows how the shrine becomes a sacred space distinct from everyday norms; Asad's theory of discursive tradition explores the contestation of power and religious authority; and Geertz lends insight into the symbolic meaning of ritual acts.
Open Access
From rebellion to revolution: the interplay of social media and government repression in the July Revolution 2024
(BRAC University, 2025-04) Kona, Sadia Zaman; Chowdhury, Moiyen Zalal; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
The Quota Reform Movement of 2024, also known as the July Revolution, marked a significant chapter in Bangladesh's long-standing debate over the controversial quota system in government employment. Originally designed to address historical inequalities, the quota system had become a source of widespread dissatisfaction, particularly among the nation’s youth, who felt it impeded merit-based recruitment. This thesis explores the role of social media in the mobilization and coordination of protests against the reinstatement of the quota system by the High Court, as well as how government repression influenced the trajectory of the movement. The research employs a qualitative approach, combining both primary and secondary data including semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, the research gathers insights from protest coordinators and participants across both public and private universities. This study examines the complex dynamics of protest organization, the strategies employed to overcome government-imposed restrictions, and the ways in which government repression shaped resistance efforts. Social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram played a critical role in circumventing traditional media control and state surveillance, allowing activists to unite, share information, and amplify their voices. Despite efforts by the government to suppress the movement through internet shutdowns, physical violence, and political rhetoric, the protests evolved from a demand for quota reform into a broader struggle for political accountability and social justice. The findings suggest that social media not only acted as a tool for organizing protests, but also as a means of countering state narratives, thus sustaining momentum amid intense government crackdowns. Furthermore, government actions, including violent repression and the dismissal of protesters’ demands, were found to amplify collective anger, escalating the protests into a larger movement for political change. Ultimately, the 2024 Quota Reform Movement underscored the power of digital activism in reshaping protest dynamics and highlighted the enduring public dissatisfaction with entrenched political systems in Bangladesh.
Open Access
Changing food culture: an exploration of food vlogging in Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2025-04) Abedin, Kazi Simran; Chowdhury, Moiyen Zalal; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
In recent years, Bangladesh has witnessed rapid shifts in media consumption, digital connectivity, and cultural expression, particularly among younger generations. Within this context, this thesis explores the evolving landscape of Bengali food culture through the rise of food vlogging in Bangladesh. Drawing on interviews with food vloggers across diverse regions, including Dhaka, Bogra, Chittagong, Barisal, Rajshahi, Cox’s Bazar, and the Bangladeshi diaspora in Malaysia, this study investigates how digital platforms are reshaping traditional culinary narratives, influencing patterns of food appreciation and consumption, and introducing global food trends. Employing a multidisciplinary framework grounded in the works of Sidney Mintz, Arjun Appadurai, and Fabio Parasecoli, alongside theories of representation, taste, and media by Stuart Hall, Pierre Bourdieu, and Marshall McLuhan, the research highlights how food vlogging serves as a site for the reinterpretation and recontextualization of traditional cuisine. The findings reveal that vloggers play a key role in negotiating between local food traditions and global culinary influences, contributing to an emerging hybrid food culture. Moreover, the study emphasizes how digital media facilitates new forms of culinary storytelling and identity-making in contemporary Bangladesh.
Open Access
Return migration of highly skilled professionals in Bangladesh: a study on private sector professionals returning home
(BRAC University, 2025-04) Khan, Masuma Warda; Rahman, Shahidur; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
In the early 1970s, Bangladesh used its population to its advantage as a major migrant labour force. There have been numerous studies conducted on lesser skilled migrant workers which concern topics related to their departure through formal government institutions, livelihood conditions in their host countries and the lifestyle conditions of their family back home. Unfortunately, studies on return migration in Bangladesh have been a topic outside of mainstream migration discourse. Most of the available reports on return migration have shed light on the lesser skilled due to their massive population. This resulted in a profound limit to comprehensive studies on the highly skilled migrant counterparts. Although existing papers have covered the return of academic professionals and provided an overview of highly skilled migrants; these papers do not reflect the portion of returnees (i.e. private sector professionals) who may simply return and seek employment opportunities unless they belong to a particular social network. In this context, this thesis focuses on the return of private sector professionals and their overall social position as senior returnees in Bangladesh. Due to the evident lack of sufficient research in the field of return migration, particularly of highly skilled professionals, this paper took an exploratory and qualitative approach by referring to primary data collected from local migratory research units along with international migratory and global labour organizations. This study obtained its primary objectives through the narrative analysis of twelve in-person interviews followed by one Key Informant Interview (KII) with a local migratory expert. The findings of this research indicate that most private sector professionals return due to factors such as updated national policies which seek to advantage locals of the country of employment, unforeseen circumstances such as the corona virus pandemic and lastly, a rare but personal desire to retire. To analyse the aforementioned findings, theories of George Gmelch and Jean-Pierre Cassarino on return migration have been employed for the conceptual understanding of a migrant’s decision to return home. As a result, the following thesis contributes to not only the existing return migration discourse but also creates an intellectual scope surrounding the highly skilled professional migrants of Bangladesh, followed by the potential for new reintegration policies to generate positive attraction towards homecoming, which will facilitate a continuous migratory cycle in Bangladesh.
Open Access
Access to education for Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2024-10) Khan, Ahmed; Rahman, Shahidur; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
The thesis examines the nature of education that Rohingya refugee children accessed in Bangladesh with emphasis on the challenges the children come across in a seemingly endless humanitarian crisis. The purpose of the study was to examine the intervention by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) as agents of change towards increase access to education especially with a focus on Friendship NGO. The data collection methods included the following: Three focus group discussions that were conducted in the Ukhia region and an interview focused on a key informant from the Friendship NGO. Although the data collection process was supposed to be conducted on site various factors such as security threats and bureaucratic procedures restricted the process, and as a result key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted remotely. To understand the cultural background of the study community, primary data was collected through focus group discussion (FGDs) conducted by Friendship NGO staff with the parents of Rohingya children and secondary data collection for contemporaneous background information. The findings reveal that socio cultural, language and environmental characteristics of the Learners negatively affect educational interventions in the form of Curriculum developed from Myanmar based, language disparities and home schooling environment respectively. However NGOs’ intervention has remained challenging by structural factors like insufficient utilization of internet, politically instable environment, infrastructure and economic crunch which hinders realization of education for the Rohingya children. This research promotes culturally relevant programs that may address obstacles in education and identity formation among the Rohingya children, who have a bleak future ahead of them, in order to enhance the possibility of a better future for these children.
Open Access
Perception of university students towards circular economy in Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2024-10) Wangmo, Kezang; Rahman, Shahidur; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
The circular economy, a sustainable approach to production and consumption, has been gaining traction globally, yet remains underexplored within the educational sector, particularly in Bangladesh. This study aims to assess BRAC University students' perceptions of circular economy principles and evaluate university policies aligned with sustainability. The main argument of the study is that regardless of BRAC University's efforts to engage in circular economy practices, a significant gap appears in the level of awareness and involvement of its students. Through a quantitative survey of 307 students, the research analyzes their awareness and engagement with circular economy practices. The research revealed that even though students practice sustainable behavior by recycling and reusing materials, they often lack any formal knowledge of the concepts guiding the circular economy. The study contributes to the understanding of student engagement with sustainability initiatives, highlighting a gap in awareness and formal educational opportunities on the topic. It is also emphasized that the circular economy principles need to be implemented with much greater thoroughness at higher education institutions to provoke a positive cultural transition toward sustainability.
Open Access
Non-economic loss and damage in climate migration: the case of Korail slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2024-10) Dawa, Tashi; Rahman, Shahidur; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
This thesis explores the non-economic loss and damage of climate induced migration in Korali Slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh. With climate change on a horizon, vulnerable communities in Bangladesh are increasingly displaced especially by various environmental factors, especially natural disasters like the erosion of riverbanks, flooding, and the intrusion of saline waters. While much of the discourse on climate change is on the economic loss and damage, this research emphasizes the often-over-looked non-economic loss and impact of climate change. This includes displacement, loss of cultural identity, traditional knowledge, inter-generational impact and psychological impact of the climate migrants. By utilizing the secondary data analysis approach, the study synthesizes academic literature, governmental reports, NGOs and media publications to document the non-economic impact of climate experienced by climate migrants in Korali. The thesis highlights the loss of traditional livelihood and fragmentation of the society, resulting in a state of disorientation and loss amongst the migrants. The findings further demonstrate how non-economic losses, though clearly visible, are largely neglected by policy makers especially when it comes to climate justice of the vulnerable communities. Grounded by the principle of climate justice, the thesis calls for the incorporation of NELD in both national and international policy frameworks. By presenting Korail Slum as a case study, the current research contributes to the growing body of discourse advocating for understanding and recognizing of NELD so that all spectrums of climate impacts are fully addressed to fight against climate change and justice is ensured.
Open Access
Breaking the glass ceiling: a study on the leadership role of women in the Bangladesh garment industry
(BRAC University, 2024-11) Yonten, Ngawang; Rahman, Shahidur; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
Bangladesh's Garment Industry (RMG) started its journey in the late 1970s in response to the worldwide demand for inexpensive garments and has come to the position it is in today. In the ensuing decades, Bangladesh, which was once called as “international bottomless basket case" has now become a "rising star or basket full of wonders" owing to rapid expansion of its industries. Globalization and neoliberal policies played a huge role in the growth of immense positive trends in the garment sectors of Bangladesh. One of the key social impacts of this garment industry is the opportunity created for women who were restricted from taking part in the social and economic activities in respect of the Purdha culture which demands seclusion of women from the public observation. As a result of women entering into the job market, remarkable changes have been observed in the lives of women with the smooth advent of garment industries in Bangladesh. The Readymade Garment Industry (from here on RMG) in Bangladesh employs around eighty five percent of female employees, making it the best or highest recruiter of women employees in Bangladesh. Despite the fact that the ready-made garment industries are dominated by women in terms of number of workers, their involvement in the leadership roles such as supervisors and manager positions in the industries has been consistently lower than men. Women comprise 80% of operators but only 10% of women serve in supervisory roles or higher. This gender gap shows a clear picture that while women dominate the lower job levels, the decision-making positions are strongly male-dominated. So, this research outlines the demographic characteristics of the respondents, uncover the factors that prevent women’s upward mobility in the RMG sector, and looks at the recent upturns in female leadership. The result shows that there are internal structures and cultures such as limited training, notion of who can do what, and glass ceilings, which make it hard for women to rise up the ladder. On the contrary, increased calls for women to take up leadership positions in recent years depict that organizational norms are shifting as a result of imploring environmental forces such as the need for different dynamics and the cardinal need for gender equity. Through shedding light on these relationships, the study extends the gender literature by providing explanations concerning the relationships between demographics, barriers to women’s empowerment and changing leadership styles in the RMG industry. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for specific policies which promote equality and provide equal opportunities to all citizens which is in line with the fifth sustainable development goal (SDG 5) which is gender equality.
Open Access
From apathy to action: understanding the youth’s political engagement on social media in Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2024-11) Samrin, Tahia; Chowdhury, Moiyen Zalal; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
Social media has increased horizons and created a wide scope for people to interact, express and connect. While it has made scopes for efficient connectivity, it has also created a platform for the people to share thoughts and opinions. In the age of technology, social media makes it easier for the youth to combine and share their perceptions regarding all aspects of life and society. The inclusion of the youth in the social and political landscape of Bangladesh is particularly important and social media has been proven to be one of their core outlets for expression and interactions. However, the youth are also known to be disinterested in the political affairs of the country over the last several years. This study explores how the youth of Bangladesh interact and position themselves in the political landscape through the use of social media. It sheds light on how the youth define and learn about politics and the factors that influence their political engagement on online platforms. The young generation have become more inclined towards learning and talking about politics since the student movement of 2024, and by exploring their perceptions post the movement, it is observed that there are several underlying factors that lead towards their political engagement on social media. Feelings of responsibility, unity and hopefulness to make an impact and heavily encourages the youth to learn about the political issues of the country. However, issues such as misinterpretation and discrimination in online spheres demotivate people to consider social media as an important political tool. Through a comparative analysis, it was found that the youth are more interested in engaging with and expressing their political views after the movement of 2024 in contrast to their disinterest previously. This thesis contributes to the understanding of the youth’s perceptions of politics and their choice of political engagement on social media in Bangladesh and to the advancement of the literature based on the student movement of 2024.
Open Access
Dimensions of belonging: the perception & preservation of non-Bengali Muslim ethnic identities in Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2024-11) Amrin, Adiba; Sabur, Seuty; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
Despite the multiple migrations that took place following partition, the experiences of non-Bengali Muslim minorities remain understudied. This study aims to fill that gap. Through ethnographic qualitative methods, migrant’s decision to stay back in Bangladesh, their perception of themselves and their use of language, food and dress are specifically studied to understand migrant experiences. Findings highlight the majority-Muslim population of Bangladesh is a primary deciding factor in migration and staying back. Other reasons include better opportunities and stability in marriage. Migrant’s self-perception varies with their varied experiences, such as where they spent their childhood or whether their mothers were homemakers or professionals. Still, certain aspects remain constant, such as their identification as naturalised Bangladeshis as their nationality, and the importance of food and language in identity retention, and the loss of differences in dressing for most migrants. These findings highlight the varied experiences of migrants and the need further to study their experiences in a more specific context.
Open Access
Dancing through the constraints the negotiations and navigations of a woman classical dancer within Bangladeshi society
(BRAC University, 2024-11) Boishakhi, Kinnory; Sabur, Seuty; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
Dance, especially classical dance, is an integral part of cultural expression as it ties to a region’s history and cultural heritage. Yet, it is the dancers who often face questions and criticisms along the lines of respectability. This study explores the negotiations and navigations by women classical dancers within Bangladeshi society to look into how they exist within a very distinct and contested space of respectability. This research seeks to understand the questions of morality, gender norms, and social expectations that these women navigate through and continue to pursue their passion. Drawing on theories and concepts of performance, class, capital and taste, intersectionality, and respectability, the study investigates the ways these dancers balance their roles on stage and in their personal lives. Through ethnographic fieldwork the dancers’ lived experiences highlight how they assert respectability in their pursuits, tackling issues of gender, class, religion and familial and social expectations. The study focuses on women dancers specifically as that is the majority demographic within the field in Bangladesh. By situating these experiences within broader sociopolitical narratives, the research reveals the paradoxical position of dance as a celebrated art form while simultaneously contesting notions of respectability that exists within their society. This research is an exploratory work that contributes to the understanding of how women performers negotiate the intersection of personal agency and societal expectations. It sheds light on the nuanced experiences surrounding respectability for Women Classical Dancers in Bangladesh.
Open Access
Human-centered UX/UI design: the impact of anthropological methods on user experience and interface research and design
(BRAC University, 2024-12) Fouzder, Arnab; Chowdhury, Moiyen Zalal; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
This paper studies anthropological integration into UX/UI research and design, as a part of an internship experience at Wonderif Studio Pvt. Ltd., a company highly focused on brand experiences and design in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This paper aimed to investigate how anthropological methods can facilitate a user-centered design approach. Using methods like participant observation, thick description, and cultural relativism, the internship showed how culture nuances user behavior and design in a social system. Such work encompassed website redesigns and product rebranding, where anthropological insights added value to User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) by facilitating a greater understanding of users needs and contexts. Anthropology in UX/UI works showcase how anthropology adds value to the field by enabling a richer understanding of users' behaviors, cultural backgrounds and empathetic engagements with design methodologies thus allowing for more inclusive and appropriate design solutions. These results emphasize one of the main takeaways to anthropology in producing inclusive and culturally relevant design solutions, as well as providing skills in design toolsets and collaboration. This report advocates for a paradigm shift that integrates anthropology into UX/UI design, emphasizing the need for context-sensitive and human-centered digital product
Open Access
The nuances of Bengali identity construction among Dhaka’s affluent middle class
(BRAC University, 2024-07) Ahmad, Amarraah; Sabur, Seuty; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
This auto-ethnographic thesis examines how members of Dhaka’s affluent middle class, aged 22 to 36, conceptualise their Bengali identities through consumption and representation. This study recognises the fluid nature of identity and that it is in constant production over time. Continuous interaction with historical presences and the contemporary forces of globalisation in a neo-colonial era has resulted in a hybrid and syncretic Bengali identity. Seeking to answer the following research questions: (1) how does the affluent middle class perceive and conceptualise their identity? (2) How are they constituting their identity through their material consumption? Lastly, (3) do particular representations help them achieve certain distinctions; this study relies on Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus and capital to explore the class markers based on each interlocutor’s family units, qualifications, and preferences for material consumption. This narrative is cross-examined with Hall’s notions of ‘oneness’ and ‘becoming’ to understand the nuances that may arise when Bengali identities are represented on the market.
Open Access
Balance between paid and unpaid labour a study on female garment workers in Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2024-06) Ahmed, Md. Sultan; Rahman, Shahidur; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
Bangladesh is a developing nation that many liberation warriors gave their lives for, and the textile sector was a major contributor to the country's financial difficulties. Women's empowerment has changed significantly as a result of their involvement in the ready-made garments (hereinafter RMG) industry. However, a recent study reveals that women's participation in the apparel industry is declining as a result of husband restrictions, religious beliefs, pregnancy, child care, and other factors. As a result, our RMG industry is in serious trouble. Among these, the decline of women in the apparel industry is a significant issue related to child care. In this context, this thesis explores how it is possible for the current women garment workers to balance work and home. Specifically, the objective is to find out how they take care of their children while working in this sector, with a particular focus on children’s education and daycare. To investigate this goal, the study conducted a qualitative method consisting of interview of 39 senior women garment workers, 3 FGDs of women garment workers and 1 KII. Based on qualitative methods, the thesis found that many women garment workers have tried to make a balance between home and work by using madrasahs as an educational institution as well as daycare centre for their children because they are more accessible and affordable for them. Asadullah’s (2013) study on madrasa and poverty was used as a theoretical framework in this thesis. The findings would contribute to the literature on female participation in the labour market, child care, and the SDG5.
Mapping out factors that shape narratives of bodily autonomy for Bangladeshi youth
(Brac University, 2022) Hasnain, Abhik; Sabur, Seuty; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
The discourse of consent, specifically the consent of our bodies is hyper-focused on situational narratives of consent breach. While the scope of this discourse fills a crucial role which formulates preventative guidelines and suggests disciplinary measures, it overlooks the uniqueness of subjective experiences for the sake of extracting objectivity. As a result, current discourse fails to take into account the nuances and ambiguities that come into play when shaping these narratives. Firstly, it homogenizes the capability of individuals to effectively understand and communicate their boundaries, and how their personal experiences with bodily autonomy and agency in the past affect their psyche. Secondly, it presents boundaries as rigid peripheries defined as required by negating their malleability and adaptability. Thirdly, it does not concern itself with how individuals negotiate the boundaries of their body to navigate experiences where their autonomy is challenged. This thesis is an autoethnography extended towards a peer group- it explores narratives of bodily autonomy of upper-middle class Bangladeshi youth with the aim of mapping out factors that shaped their experiences.
Open Access
A study of independent middle class women: accommodation crisis, living experiences & negotiation strategies in Dhaka
(BRAC University, 2022-10) Aisharja, Tasnim Rahman; Sabur, Seuty; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
As the economy expands its horizon, the number of citizens also populates a city, and Dhaka is no exception. Many of its inhabitants are women, including women who live independently in this city for numerous purposes. Some migrate from other parts of the country due to professional responsibilities, some move here for the better education it offers and some are city dwellers who move out of their family’s homes. Nevertheless, these independent women have to navigate their way into the city with ample caution, which is omnipresent in every step of their daily lives. The height of their struggles reaches a new epoch regarding finding suitable accommodation for themselves. In this dissertation, I aim to explore the reason behind their residency crisis and how these independent, middle-class women negotiate throughout their daily lives to survive in this city. By looking into these women’s lives, I attempt to comprehend their stories in a written form while highlighting aspects of patriarchy, survival strategies, struggles and the changing dynamic of relationships.
Open Access
Tracing the footprints of digital aggression: an ethnographic journey into cyber harassment against female activists in Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2023-10) Fatema, Ummul Khayer; Sabur, Seuty; Department of Economics and Social Sciences
In the last few years, the utilization of social media by public figures, social advocates, and content creators has increased significantly, particularly in addressing social justice, including gender equality, human rights, and other crucial societal matters. With a large proportion of activism taking place on digital platforms, websites like Facebook have become instrumental in widespread mobilization and demonstrations. While online activism is making progress in addressing gender justice and is in the process of developing, violence against women continues to escalate in the digital realm. This thesis will investigate how cyber harassment attempts to suppress female activism in Bangladesh. To understand this, I will try to see the connection between heteropatriarchal norms and harassment. What kind of harassment do women activists face in their everyday lives? How do they navigate through this? And how does it impact their activism? It also sheds light on the experiences of female activists to highlight how heteropatriarchal norms contribute to the suppression of their activism through cyber harassment and how it can have a profound impact on a female activist's life, both personal and professional. The frequency of cyber harassment and the effects it has on Bangladeshi female activists pose a serious obstacle to gender equality. This crucial matter calls for more investigation. This thesis will contribute to the advocacy for changes in policies and laws to better protect female activists from cyber harassment and alleviate the suppression of their rights to protest, as well as develop better online safety measures, create support networks for victims, and work with law enforcement to prosecute perpetrators.

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