Shireen Huq
Expertise
Human RightsRefugees, Migration, IDPs
Sexual Violence in Conflict
Social Movements & Non-violent Resistance
State Violence
Violence against women
Women Human Rights Defenders
Women's Rights
Details
Media
Why Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh led to 12 deaths BBC News April 1, 2021
Violence against women is a scourge on poor countries But women’s campaigns are starting to have an effect The Economist Mar 11, 2021
Bangladeshi vows to fight bar on women conducting weddings Reuters Jan 14, 2021
Culture of Misogyny and Toxic Masculinity Driving Sexual Violence in Bangladesh IPS News Service Jan 11, 2021
Sania Farooqui in conversation with the founder of Naripokkho, Shireen Huq Jan 10, 2021
To tackle sexual violence in Bangladesh the culture of victim blaming must end Oped coauthor The Guardian Oct 19, 2020
Shireen Huq is a globally known leader for women’s rights and freedom of expression in Bangladesh. She cofounded the activist organization Naripokkho, a Bangla word meaning Pro-Women, nearly four decades ago and has been often referred to as the mother of feminism in Bangladesh.
Naripokkho works for the advancement of women’s rights and entitlements and building resistance against violence, discrimination and injustice.
Shireen is a leading voice against impunity for the Myanmar military’s brutal treatment of Rohingyas, an ethnic minority forced from their homes in a campaign of violence, arson, and rape in 2017. More than 700,000 who took refuge across the border in Bangladesh remain in makeshift camps at Cox’s Bazaar .
Naripokkho established the Standing with Rohingya Women Initiative to amplify the voices of thousands of Rohingya women who were traumatized by the sexual violence. Shireen has persisted in the call for accountability for crimes against humanity and concern for the plight of the refugees.
From 1987 to 2006, Shireen served as a Development Advisor to the Danish development agency DANIDA in Bangladesh.