AUDOMMO Indomitable Courage

Violence against women still continues to prevail in Bangladesh at a considerably high rate, with most women still remaining too afraid to speak out. One Billion Rising aims to change the state of gender violence in the country by focusing on its “Justice” campaign that leads towards February 14th when it will host the biggest event.
“Audommo (The Indomitable)” is the first of the series of initiatives in the awareness campaign. The event was held on January 18th at Charukala Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. It opened with a dance performance that portrayed the conventional gender roles of boys and girls in our society, where the boys played with cars and faced the world and girls played with dolls and remained hidden within four walls.
After the performance, transgender activist, Joya Shikdar took the stage. “To degrade a man in society, we use the phrase 'wear bangles', as being feminine is the worst a man can be,” she pointed out, “So where will Hijras go in a society that celebrates such ideals?”
She also pointed out how in such a conservative society, Hijras are constantly marginalised, denied accommodation and jobs, and are compelled to engage in undignified professions. They do not get help from their families or the government.
“Sons growing up go to their father, daughters go to their mothers. Who do we go to?” -- she asked at the end of her speech.
Following Joya Shikdar, Champa Chakma, who plays for both Bangladesh's National Football and National Cricket teams, took the microphone. Champa explained how she got to her present position and the amount of social stigma she had to deal with to get there. Everyone shook their heads at a girl playing with the boys, but in spite of that she persevered.

Next on stage was Farjahan Rahman Shaon, who shared a personal story. She talked about her abusive marriage, which ended twelve years too late; how she struggled with her husband, the various ways he abused her and the obstacles she faced in society after the divorce. Addressing the people who may be in a similar situation, she said, “Never depend on anyone, never lose courage, always be independent before divorcing, and give time to kids. You have to change, nothing else changes [until you do].”
Farzana Akhter was the next speaker with her compelling story of how she earned her position working at Agrani Bank despite being visually impaired. Farzana elaborated on the social obstacles she had to face just to sit for the exam leading up to the job. At every step there were people who made assumptions about her capacity. “How can someone who's blind, work?” -- they asked. But after many legal battles and snide remarks from the people she wanted to work for, she secured the highest marks in the exam. Farzana now works for a branch outside Dhaka and even though she makes mistakes, she continues to learn from them.
After Farzana, Qurat-ul-Ain Nazuba spoke about her experience as a female tech freelancer and the flaws in the education system of Bangladesh. Using herself as an example, she showed that being a college dropout does not result in being a failure.
“Creativity is important,” she said.
The final speaker of the evening was Nurun Nahar, a victim of acid violence, who shared her own story and the stories of those whom she now constantly counsels to get through the anguish she once went through. She opened up about her initial state of mind after the attack, when she felt ashamed of herself: “Girls are presented with cosmetics, they're meant to be pretty. At that point, I wasn't. But I also realised, first I am a person, then I'm a woman.”
The event wrapped up with music, and hopefully, a change in perspective for many.