Azra Humayra

In the shadow of July: The parents who waited, worried, and walked together

Between July 15 and August 5 last year, parents across the country held their breaths waiting, worrying, and counting the hours until their children returned home from the protests. Some had their parents' blessing. Others went without it.

1w ago

The sorry state of washrooms at Dhaka University

If the upkeep of a washroom, a basic and essential facility, is too much to ask of our universities, what does that signal about the priorities of those in charge?

1m ago

Mindless littering and our inability to keep our streets clean

Teaching someone the collective responsibility of keeping a city clean feels like trying to empty the Buriganga with a teacup.

3m ago

Shrouded by shame and eventually forgotten: Sexual harassment policies across universities in Bangladesh

While some perpetrators were held accountable, institutional responses remained inconsistent and were often shaped by power dynamics.

3m ago

Living in fear: I am so tired of being a woman these days

Why, in 2025, am I still mapping out my movements as if walking through a battlefield?

5m ago

Can the youth revive democracy in Bangladesh?

The youth, as key drivers of inclusivity, are critically examining the current state of democracy in our country. For them, it is less a triumph than a test—a moment of possibility, shadowed by the weight of history.

5m ago

Influence of the July uprising on youth activism

There’s no denying that July altered the political reality of Bangladesh. The uprising toppled a deeply entrenched despot and unleashed a wave of change that felt as sudden as it was transformative.

5m ago

The state of law and order has left daily commuters distressed

In a city where survival has taken the place of living, the loss of trust in law enforcement isn’t just personal—it’s a crack in the foundation of society.

6m ago
December 5, 2024
December 5, 2024

Addressing the crisis of gender-based violence on campus

University campuses ought to be places where we can learn, grow, and discover new things. Yet, for many women and gender-diverse students in Bangladesh, these spaces have become arenas of fear and marginalisation due to pervasive gender-based violence.

October 28, 2024
October 28, 2024

We should rethink our approach to online political discussions

Political discussions today often devolve into verbal battlegrounds, where the goal seems less about understanding and more about winning. Social media, creating echo chambers and shrinking attention spans, amplifies this by rewarding outrage and oversimplification over nuance and depth.

October 13, 2024
October 13, 2024

Dealing with PCOS at an early age

PCOS is associated with significant health risks, including infertility, increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. It can also impact the psychological well-being of women, particularly those dealing with hirsutism (excessive hair growth) and menstrual irregularities, which may lead to depression or anxiety.

September 26, 2024
September 26, 2024

Speaking to parents about your sexual abuse experience

It took a year, perhaps two before I mustered the courage to tell my mother, thanks to the support of friends who had urged me to speak out.

September 19, 2024
September 19, 2024

Murder at DU and JU: Must we emulate what we dismantled?

Destroying a regime is one thing; ensuring that its legacy doesn't infect the future is another.

August 7, 2024
August 7, 2024

The importance of indigenous quota

Despite the general uproar, the indigenous quota remains especially contentious. Some agree while others don’t. But what of the indigenous students themselves for whom this quota is ostensibly designed?

August 1, 2024
August 1, 2024

The importance of gender quota

In Bangladesh, gender quotas are essential for cultivating a more equitable society.

July 16, 2024
July 16, 2024

Experiencing July 15 as a student

The future of these protests remains uncertain, yet the students' unity endures.

July 11, 2024
July 11, 2024

Students and quota holders say reform is necessary

The quota system must be executed in a way that upholds fairness, inclusivity, and equity.

July 8, 2024
July 8, 2024

Are students sympathetic to the teachers' protest?

Teachers rarely show solidarity with students' protests, regardless of their cause or goal.