Four ensemble dance-theatre works examining women’s participation in public life, gender norms, power structures, displacement, resilience and collective action were staged at ‘WO I MAN: The WOW Fest at ALOKI, Dhaka on Friday.
The works were “Women’s Politics and Women in Politics” on patriarchy and feminism; “Inside the Line” on capitalism, consumerism and the female body; “Did God Say These Things?” on faith, feminisms and ritual politics; and “After the Silence” on war, conflict, migration and feminism, said a press release on Saturday.
Held under the theme “Remembering Memories, Reclaiming Bodies”, the festival explored how women experience, navigate and challenge social expectations through movement, storytelling and collective artistic practice. It brought together artists, cultural practitioners, young people and communities for a day of performances, installations, exhibitions and discussion.
The festival was produced by Shadhona and Nrittoshilpi Foundation Bangladesh through the British Council’s WOW (Women of the World) Bangladesh 2026 programme. The programme opened at 12 noon with exhibitions, participatory installations, a creative marketplace and food stalls.
Visitors were invited to contribute to Bohurekha, a participatory artwork by artist Ishrat Rouf, sharing reflections on memory, identity and lived experience. The afternoon programme included performances and presentations on bodily autonomy, childhood, social expectations, identity and belonging. The photographic exhibition “From Score to Stage” documented participants’ creative journey.
Shadhona Artistic Director Lubna Marium said, “As you must know, a lot is happening in Bangladesh right now. Still, I have always remained very optimistic because we, as women, are far from disempowered; we have always known how to fight back.” She added: “We remain grateful to the British Council for supporting our efforts as we still have a long journey ahead of us.”
