Gender Equality | DU Impact Ranking

SDG 5: Gender Equality

1. Department of Women and Gender Studies (DWGS)

Overview: Established in 2000, the Department of Women and Gender Studies (DWGS) at Dhaka University is a pioneer in gender education in Bangladesh.
Programs: Offers interdisciplinary undergraduate and postgraduate courses focusing on gender, women’s rights, and social equity. The curriculum includes both theoretical and practical approaches to gender equality issues.
Activities:
- Regularly organizes Seminars, workshops, and symposiums involving academics, practitioners, and policymakers.
- Conducts collaborative training programs with NGOs and government organizations aimed at fostering gender awareness and influencing policy decisions.
Impact: By integrating gender studies into mainstream academia, DU is building a knowledge base that empowers students to actively contribute to creating an equitable society.
Reference: DU Department of Women and Gender Studies

2. BraveMen Campaign

Overview: This initiative, led by Dr. Sayed Saikh Imtiaz, Chairperson of DWGS, engages male students and faculty members in feminist activism.
Focus Areas:
■ Challenges traditional notions of masculinity.
■ Encourages behavioral changes that align with gender equity principles.
Activities: Includes workshops, awareness drives, and collaborative research on the role of men in achieving gender equality.
Impact: The campaign has fostered conversations on gender norms among male participants, enabling them to become advocates for equality.
Reference: The Daily Star Article

3. YouthMappers Initiative: LetGirlsMap Campaign (2019)

Overview: Empowered female students to use mapping tools like the Mapillary app to highlight women’s contributions in technology and geography.
Activities:
■ Mapped the DU campus to showcase women’s visibility in tech.
■ Advocated for women’s active participation in STEM fields through research and engagement.
Impact:Helped create opportunities for female students to explore tech-related careers, breaking stereotypes about gender roles in these fields.
Reference: YouthMappers Blog

Her Choice Project (2024)

Overview: A community-driven initiative led by DU student Maria Rahman to advocate for women’s decision-making rights in family structures.
Key Activities:
- Organized community dialogues addressing the societal and cultural barriers faced by women.
- Ran campaigns promoting autonomy in family decision-making.
Impact: The project empowered women in traditional family setups and encouraged younger generations to rethink gender roles..
Reference: MGRDU Article

Celebrating Daughters Campaign (2022)

Collaborators: Organized by Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) in partnership with UNFPA Bangladesh.
Objective: Highlighted the societal value of daughters through visual storytelling and media campaigns.
Activities:
- Conducted workshops and film screenings focusing on gender equality themes.
- Engaged students and faculty in creative advocacy for women’s rights.
Impact: Reinforced positive perceptions of daughters and addressed the stigma surrounding girl children in society.
Reference: Dhaka Tribune Article

International Women’s Day Events

Overview: Dhaka University organizes annual events to commemorate International Women’s Day.
Key Activities:
- Panel discussions with university leadership, including the Vice-Chancellor, to promote awareness and drive policy discussions on gender equality.
- Cultural programs celebrating women’s achievements and advocating for societal mindset shifts.
Impact: These events bring together students, faculty, and community leaders to discuss actionable solutions for gender equality.
Example: In 2020, the DWGS held a program where the Vice-Chancellor emphasized the need for changing societal mindsets to achieve gender parity.
Reference: Dhaka Tribune Article