A Conversation with Farzana Sithi on Women's Rights and ActivismCEFR B1
18 Oct 2025
Adapted from Abhimanyu Bandyopadhyay, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Bornil Amin, Unsplash
AI-assisted adaptation of the original article, simplified for language learners.
Farzana Sithi, a prominent student activist from Bangladesh, played a key role in the youth-led protests of 2024. Her passionate advocacy for women’s rights garnered national attention, and she became a symbol of resilience amidst significant challenges. Despite the initial hopes for change, Sithi reflects on the grim reality for women in Bangladesh, where gender-based violence and discrimination have reportedly worsened.
The post-uprising environment has not only seen a rise in violence but also a systematic sidelining of women from political discussions. Sithi highlights the reduction in women's political representation and the ongoing struggles for safety. She articulates that the fight for women's rights is far from over and insists that organized resistance is essential for meaningful progress.
Looking forward, Sithi believes that the unity of women can lead to significant change in Bangladesh. She emphasizes that while challenges exist, the spirit of activism remains strong, and women will continue to push for their rights and safety.
Difficult words
- advocacy — Support for a cause or agenda.
- resilience — Ability to recover from difficulties.
- violence — Intentional harm to someone or something.
- representation — Being present or included in a group.
- activism — Efforts to bring about social change.
- unity — Being together as one group or body.
- discrimination — Unfair treatment based on characteristics.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think activism is important for women?
- How does unity among women help bring about change?
- What are some challenges to women's rights today?
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