Feminists call for continuous confrontation
Summary
Veteran Bangladeshi activist Khushi Kabir and young South Asian feminists in Kathmandu warned that youth-led uprisings will fall short unless they confront religious radicalism, corruption and token reforms. The panel stressed intersectional feminism, real representation for women, and greater power-sharing for marginalised groups.
Key Points
- Khushi Kabir said feminism must be intersectional and that democracy cannot be changed without addressing the needs of women, who make up half the population.
- Panelists warned that recent youth-led uprisings in South Asia risk losing their transformative potential if they stop at surface-level change.
- Asmita Shah questioned whether formal women’s quotas and post-protest governments truly represent women and youth.
- The discussion highlighted rising regressive religious politics and the need to challenge dogmatism and male-dominated power structures.
