Marking International Women’s Day, several Bangladeshi celebrities took to social media to share their thoughts on women’s rights, equality and respect.
Actress Nusraat Faria questioned society’s tendency to scrutinise women’s personal choices. In a Facebook post, she wrote: “Let us move away from the habit of questioning why a woman did this, why she did that, why she wore a certain dress or why she made a particular decision.”
She added: “Are we born only to give explanations? Do we have to justify every step? We are human beings. We have dreams, opinions, freedom and the right to live in our own way. So on this Women’s Day, just let us be ourselves. That will be enough.”
Prominent singer Kanak Chapa shared a personal reflection about being born as the third daughter in her family.
“I was born as the third daughter of my parents. Instead of sympathy, I received extra love and care. Alhamdulillah, my family is educated and they see people as human beings,” she wrote.
Rejecting the idea that women are weak, she wrote: “I have never learned to think of myself as helpless despite physical limitations. I have given birth to two children with my own strength. I can cook for fifty people when needed and I can even carry heavy suitcases myself.”
She added that such strength is common among women. “Am I someone special? Not at all. Every woman has this strength and they use it every day. Yet the world still keeps them as second class citizens. That is very unfortunate.”
Actress Zakia Bari Mamo highlighted the importance of balance between men and women. She wrote: “Men and women are the two wheels of a bicycle. Let the balance between these two wheels remain in family, identity, society and the state. Greetings on Women’s Day to humanity.”
Actress Ashna Habib Bhabna expressed frustration with what she described as superficial social media messages. “On Women’s Day, we will see many beautiful posts on Facebook which will never be implemented in reality,” she wrote.
She also criticised offensive online content, saying: “In the race to earn dollars, we have chosen to demean women on social platforms in many ways.”
Model and entrepreneur Ipshita Shabnam Srabonty kept her message brief, writing: “Every day is Women’s Day. Just a reminder.”
Alongside the female celebrities, several male stars also shared greetings and thoughts on the occasion. Singer Asif Akbar wrote: “The success of every woman should be an inspiration for other women. Greetings on International Women’s Day.”
Through their posts, the celebrities highlighted the need for greater respect, equality and recognition for women in everyday life.
