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Introduction
War mostly studied from a perspective reflecting
overt male chauvinism and ego-centrism
War is a mans domain
In the narratives of the Liberation War of
Bangladesh in 1971, women are visible only
when depicted as victims
Not objectively portrayed
No list of women freedom fighters
Out of the total of 676 gallantry awards, only two
to women
Bir Protiks - Taramon Bibi and Dr. Sitara Begum
Rahman
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Basic Argument
Predominant role of men cannot be denied
History of Bangladesh would be marked to
some extent by unfairness if the role of
women is excluded from this war
Total surrender to male chauvinism
Incomplete if womens role remains in
amnesia
Inclusion of gender analysis - order of the day
War will look more human
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Research Questions
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Existing Literature
Little research as actors in more war-related
functions
Peripheral in nature
Effects of war on women and the atrocities
suffered and endured during the war and
aftermath
Simplistic division of roles between men as
'doer' of the war and women as helpless
'victims'
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CONCLUSION
All male cast
May be infinitesimal number of women who
fought with weapons
Very limited space to them only as victims and
sustainers
Those who forget the past are condemned to
re-live it should act as an eye-opener for us
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THANK YOU
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