Press Release: Women’s Rights take Centre Stage in Dhaka

Dhaka, Bangladesh - UN Women and partners bring to Bangladesh the stories of pioneering women’s rights activists through the renowned documentary play SEVEN in celebration of International Women’s Day and the 20^th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action - the global commitment to advance gender equality.

On the 6^th of March seven prominent women in Bangladesh will lend their voices to these stories, and perform a reading of the play at the Chayyanaut Theatre. The documentary play “Seven” captures the challenges and obstacles faced by women activists from Russia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, Guatemala and Cambodia, but it is these women’s  strength and courage that really grips the audience. 

Seven seeks to put women’s rights higher on political and social agenda by spreading these stories with the help of strong voices on stage. 

Seven has been performed in 32 countries, bringing together people from grass root organizations, governmental institutions and activist networks.  It has been a catalyst for change, igniting new conversations on gender equality and women’s rights.  To date Seven has been translated into 23 languages – Bangla is next!

In March 2014 in Dhaka women Ambassadors and heads of UN agencies performed Seven to mark International Women’s Day.  It was a powerful moment for the audience of over 300 and for the readers.  Building on this success, UN Women supported by the Swedish Embassy will translate the play into Bangla and use it to mobilize efforts to prevent violence against women.   To launch that, seven women leaders from Bangladesh and the international community will again do a reading for international women’s day, hoping to attract a diverse crowd with thoughts and ideas on key issues women’s rights in Bangladesh today.

UN Women recognises the readers for their leadership and initiatives in advancing gender equality in Bangladesh and for the continued support from our partners at the Embassy of Sweden, the Embassy of Denmark, the Embassy of Norway, the Embassy of Bhutan, the Embassy of Brazil and ActionAid Bangladesh and Hedda Produktion AB for this event.

For media inquiries:

Sheikh Muhammad Manjur -E-Alam, ActionAid
Email: [ Click to reveal ]  Tel: +8801732997631

Shohel Rana, UN Women
Email: [ Click to reveal ] Tel: +88 01714120371

Note to Editor:

SEVEN, conceived by Carol K. Mack and written by seven award-winning playwrights—Paula Cizmar, Catherine Filloux, Gail Kriegel, Carol K. Mack, Ruth Margraff, Anna Deavere Smith, and Susan Yankowitz.

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