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WOMEN, SPACE AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITY IN DEVELOPMENT OF DHAKA CITY 19

Oriental Geographer

Vol. 59, No. 1&2, 2017

Printed in September 2018

WOMEN, SPACE AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITY IN

DEVELOPMENT OF DHAKA CITY

Rosie MajidAhsan*

Abstract: Present study highlights women‟s visible activities including paid, social and community

work as well as essential services provided for women in formation of female space in historical

development process of Dhaka city. The most cited activities performed by women from home

were weaving muslin, carving on conchshell, embroidery on sarees and other cloths, husking rice

and they also performed as entertainer during Mughal Period. With the shrinking of Dhaka town

and economic distress condition in early British period middle and low income women came out of

home by wearing bourqa and became vendor of various commodities, participated in construction

work, nature of entertainment changed, also provided various services to the upper class people.

Gradually overtime women started sharing public space formally, initiated through education,

health care, community and social services as well as some infrastructure facilities by British. This

trend expanded in Pakistan period with adaptation of new policies and infrastructure facilities for

women in all spare of life and gradually numbers of professional women has increased and very

much visible in the city. Bangladesh emerged with bloody liberation war where women had to take

a big role in developing the country. Female space become more visible with participation of

women in all kinds of activities along with men and more remarkable is their participation in the

Readymade Garment Industries. Women‟s position in the society is on the rise. Opportunities are

increasing. They are participating in administration, airlines, commercial flying, banks, commercial

offices etc. leading to a further change in community‟s attitude and broadening women‟s mind

creating confidence which eventually led to motivate the women to serve the nation by joining

different factories which demand large number of female laborers. This gave them empowerment.

In other words, female space in Dhaka has been created by the society and in turn has helped in

forming the city‟s structure and the society anew.

Keywords: Female Space, Activity, Muslin, Public space, Social issues

INTRODUCTION

Geography, describing land and people of the inhabited world, identifies uniqueness of

terrestrial areas in terms of land-human relations (Dickinson, 1962). Cities are the focal

points in the occupation and utilization of the earth. They develop a definite pattern in

response to economic and social needs (Harris and Ullman, 1945). In understanding the

patterns which arise from the use of space by the social groups (Jones, 1975) the process

involved and the changing pattern are necessary to be studies through time.

The present study attempts to highlight role of women and social communities of Dhaka

city, in formation of female space in the region‟s development process.Female space in

the study indicates an area in public place used mainly by women.

* Rosie M. Ahsan, PhD, Former Professor Department of Geography and Environment University of Dhaka, Dhaka –

1000, Bangladesh

20 ORIENTAL GEOGRAPHER

Space, an indispensible aspect in geography, is an indication of people‟s domination and

role played by them in the social issues and progress. Expansion of human occupation in

space and role of group activities in society reveal their influence in community

development and vice-versa (Mogey, 1975).

It is acceptable now that the community work is indeed an activity towards progress of a

country (Milroy and Wismer, 1994) as it changes people‟s attitude, behavior and

intellectual growth. As such the present study considers paid work as well as community

work of women of Dhaka city to analyze their activity and role through time based on

literature review, narrative history, personal experience and a small scale survey.

It is proposed that the notion of public sphere for men and private sphere for women is

becoming weak. The scope of women doing community work is increasing in the city of

Dhaka along with expansion of female space. However, the data used in this study is not

exhaustive as it is collected from other studies and interviews but it gives a sense of

nature of work women have been doing in Dhaka city over the last few decades

contributing towards development of the country.

DHAKA CITY: THEHISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The City of Dhaka, previously being part of Indiais a dynamic organism constantly in

process of evolution. Dhaka, located on the bank of river Buriganga startingas a trade

centre, was also suitable as a military post. From a Hindu trading centre, Dhaka went

under pre-mughal Muslim rule during 1299 to 1600 AD (Purchas,1905), then it went

under Mughal control. In 1612 Dhaka became the capital of Mughal Subah of Bengaland

flourished as a premier city of the east. In 1764, the region was conquered by the British

and Dhaka‟s glory was lost. The city started growing again after evacuation of the

British, as it became the provincial capital of East Pakistan. In 1971, Dhaka became the

capital of independent Bangladesh after the war of liberation. Gradually the city

expanded in all directions but mostly towards north. By 2016 the area of Dhaka city has

reached 1528 sq km, which is known as Dhaka Metropolitan Region (RAJUK, 2016). In

this paper Dhaka Metropolitan Region (DMR) refers to Dhaka City (Figure 1). Political

consideration thus has been the fundamental source of life which is visible through the

changing pattern of activities of women and evolution of female space in the city. In this

study women‟s space includes space used for women‟s visible activities including

community work and for essential services provided for women. Educational services and

health care services have been considered as essential.

WOMEN’S ACTIVITIES AND ACTIVITY SPACE DURING

MUGHAL PERIOD, 1608-1764

In ancient time role of religion was very strong; people belonging to different religion

resided in separate areas being engaged in different activities according to their cast.

From the available information it may be suggested that the main settlement in this

locality lay between the river Buriganga and DholaiKhalwith its centre near Bangla

Bazar-Sadarghat area (Ahsan, 2009). The town consisted of a few market center. The city

was noted for its muslin industry (Dani, 1962). Women, along with their home making


activities, were engaged in helping men in various commercial activities without

remuneration. For example, weaving muslin in Tantee Bazar, carving on conchshell

bangles in Shankhari Bazar –all were done inside the inner apartments of their home

(Ahsan and Khatun, 2010a).

Figure 1: Dhaka Metropolitan Region (DMR)/RAJUK Area

Source : RAJUK, 2016


During the Mughal period, Dhaka became their military headquarter in a campaign

against the Afghans. Commercial activities flourished. In 1608, Dhaka became the capital

of the Mughal Bengal. During this period the pre-Mughal activities were carried out in a

wider scale as transactions with outside world expanded. Weaving of muslin received

fresh stimulus from Mughal emperors in Delhi. Women‟s contribution went up. Their

work however, was still invisible, purda being maintained. In Shankhari

Bazar,multistoried buildings were built for the first time in Dhaka cityon land allocated

by Mughals to encourage their special skill in conch shell (Sarker,1992). These buildings

were built like a fortress which did not allow any intrusion from outside- as a protection

from the attacks of Portuguese pirates (Ahsan et al., 2006). ConchShell bangles were

famous all over India and Sri Lanka- doing flourishing business. Women‟s activity space

was still home based and not acknowledged. Mirza Nathanhowever, mentioned about

women dancers and singers performing in Mughal court to entertain the soldiers during

Eid festival in Islam Khan‟s period (Bhattashali 1936).

Chawk, a total male space, known as Badshahi Bazar was the most important commercial

centre developed next to the main mosque along the river, Buriganga. The city functions

were mixed up but the business activities mainly spread along Patuatuly Road with

muslim women doing embroidery on sarees and other cloths at the back stage. The City

of Dhaka flourished most under Shayesta Khan„s rule during 1677-1689. The city‟s built

up area extended for 12 miles along the river bank and 8 miles inland (Taifoor, 1952).

The city was visited by the foreign travelers from Europe and Middle East. The English

and French factories were built on the river bank.

During this period paddy cultivation and trade flourished, inviting a large number of

Hindu and Muslim laborers both men and women from the surrounding rural areas for

husking paddy in the city. Interaction of these people who spoke Bangla with the north

Indian traders who spoke Urdu evolved a typical language and ethnic group called Kutti.

These women were engaged in husking paddy contributing towards paddy trade.

However, all their work was home based. The Kutti people lived along Bangshal,

Malitola, SiddiqueBazar, Kolta Bazar etc. (Khatun, 2003). Women used to wear

„Borqua’ and moved in palanquin with male chaperon. No female space was noted.

Probably women did not have any education and health care depended on religious

charms. They were totally ignored in the development process.

WOMEN’S ACTIVITY AND SPACE DURING BRITISH RULE, 1764-1947

After the battle of Plassey (1757), Dhaka came under the control of the East India

Company who were traders from Britain. During this post –Mughal British period the

city of Dhaka went through a period of transition- as muslin trade was destroyed (closed

down in 1817 for the benefit of the British spinning machines in England), economy went

down, men left the city in search of job outside the country. Population shrank from

200,000 in 1800 to 68,000 in 1833. The town shrank back to the river Buriganga from an

area of 39 square miles to 4 miles in length and 1.25 miles in breadth during 1840s

(Taylor, 1840). Women had to come out of their protected home to provide support for

their children. They became vendors- selling bangles, ribbons, hair pins, cosmetics etc.


from door to door wearing bourqa, They provided personal services to rich women

through manicure, pedicure, hair washing and hair dressing and applying “alta” on their

feet, mehendi on their palms or serving as midwives during child delivery. Many joined

construction work force in road building and repair, beating roof top for compacting. All

these works were behind their “ghumta” (veil). A few groups of elderly kutti women

named, ‘merasins’ earned money through entertaining female guestsinside the house by

singing, dancing, cutting jokes for 2-3 days during wedding ceremonies. Many women

turned to prostitution during this period of economic and social degradation. These

prostitutes occupied space in the road front buildings of Nawabpur the first visible

female activity space in Dhaka city. Nevertheless, the East India Company‟s contribution

towards development of Dhaka cannot be overlooked, as they introduced railway systems

in the country. They brought a group of Anglo-Indians in the city to take charge of the

railway systems. These people had different culture. The Anglo-Indian women shared

public space with men through teaching in schools and working in various offices (Ahsan

and Khatun 2010a).

In 1857, India came under direct rule of British crown and saw some development of

utility services. In 1905, after partition of Bengal, Dhaka was made the capital of the new

province of East Bengal and Assam. Development of a new town started beyond the rail

roadtowards north. The area was called New Dhaka. The business area during this period

extended through Nawabpur road into Ramna area to serve the British bureaucrats. The

partition of Bengal was annulled in 1911 and the growth pace slowed down.

However, some development of women folk is noticed during this period. British rulers

coming from Europe belonged to a different race and entirely different culture with more

lenient attitude towards women. They identified problems of women of this region and

attempted to solve it through providing female space in the city. Special attention was

given to girls in education and health care which areessential for development of a girl.

During this period British education system through formal schools and colleges were

introduced in the city- where boys were enrolled and educated. Previously Muslims went

to Madrasas to learn Arabic and Islamic religion and Hindus went to “toll” to learn

Sanskrit and Hindu religion. Girls even from higher society were deprived of any such

formal education. Muslim aristocratsmade provisionsfor them to learnArabic and religion

within the house.

The modern and educated communities of Brahma Samaj women setting off their lives in

Dhaka city since 1840 started movement for female education teaching themto read and

write Bangla inside the house which would enable the girls to read newspaper and

acquire knowledge about the outside world.

Educational Space—The first educational service space for women emerged through a

western style school by the European Missionaries- established in 1863 in Sadarghat

area. This school was mostly attended by the Ango-Indian girls. In 1878, this was re

established as Eden Girls School (Banglapedia, 2010). During 1870, women from


Brahma Samaj made another space for girls through a school in Bangla Bazar. Girls,

mostly Hindu, started to come out since they were less conservative and more open to

British culture. Muslims were adamant about not accepting British education as the

throne was taken from them by the British. By 20s and 30s Eden School had about 400

students where Muslim girls were only 15-20 in number. With passage of time few other

girls schools came up in Dhaka city-St. Francis Xavier by the missionaries in 1912 in

LuxmiBazar, AnandaMoyee girls school in 1924 in Armanitola, Nari Shikkhya Mandir in

Tikatuli. In 1921, the University of Dhaka came up as a compensation for annullment of

the city‟s position as the capital of East Bengal. This also encouraged addition of a girls

college with Eden School in 1926 and new buildings came up in the new complex in

Ramna-the first educational space for women in New Dhaka. Both male and female

teachers were employed in the school.

Female participation in the university level was encouraged by arrangement of living

space. By 1938, a Dhaka University Women‟s hostel came up in Chameri Hall (Imam

1993). Nevertheless even during the 30s, total number of students in all colleges was

around 1100 among who only 37 were Muslim(Ahmed, 2010) .

Health Facilities for Women-- Health Facilities for Women along with space for health

care also were introduced in Dhaka city during the British period. During those days

modern facilities for women was almost nonexistent. Traditionally, child birth took place

within the home boundary – many times in a very unhygienic environment. Death rate at

child birth was high- child marriage making additional contribution to the situation. Due

to prevalence of „purdah‟, the male physicians could not examine the female patients

directly.

In 1858, Dhaka Mitford hospital was established near river Buriganga. But itwas seldom

used by the women. In the beginning of 20th Century, a separate space for women‟s

health care namely, Lady Dufferin Hospital, was started to adjust with the existing

“purdah” system. In 1934, this Lady Dufferin Hospital was turned into a modern labour

ward with a female nurse (Dani, 1962).

During 1899-1900 Dhaka Medical School came up but no girl got admitted. Eventually,

three local girls- a Brahma, a Brahmin and a muslim girl were admitted along with a few

anglo-indian girls. Lady Carmichael Home was established as a residential space for

nurses. Female space related to health care thus was initiated.Dhaka medical College

came up in 1946-offering facilities for women‟s health care. It also provided opportunity

for girls to study medicine.

COMMUNITY SPACE

Community work by women are the work which lies outside domestic and market labour

(Milroy and Wismer, 1994). It could be informal or formally organized voluntary work

which could contribute to community‟swell being. The work which is essential to

community building. Community space could be a place where this work is carried out.


In Dhaka City, community space for women started emerging slowly as women came out

in the public space. With transportation system improving women moved around the city

in hackney carriages, shutters up with a chaperon since 1892. By 1942, cycle rickshaws

were introduced in the city, further helping women‟s mobility as it could be treated as a

private means of transportation. Many women in purdah moved around wrapping the

rickshaw with a saree. Their idea about the predicament of the people and city

environment widened. The notion of community activity was acquired during 1846

introduced by the ladies of Brahma Samaj who attempted to upgrade the society through

rehabilitation of the prostitutes, destitute women and widows (Halim and Barna,

2010).They advocated for education of women and inspired the females to be self-reliant.

All these activities were carried out in home space. There wereShuvo Shadini Shava,

Aantarpur Stree Shikhaa Shava etc. An institution of Dhaka Mohammedan Friends

Association also existed- their goal was to elevate the Muslim women‟s status and

strongly advocated for female education.

During 1911, a Bengali Muslim lady, Begum Rockeya Shakawat Hossain started a small

school for girls in Calcutta- which influenced the upper/middle class Bengali Muslim

girls in Dhaka also. The first female student of the University of Dhaka (Leela Nag)

started Deepali Shangho in 1926 creating awareness in women about human right and

opened free schools for girls-one being for muslims. This muslim school was bought by

PariBanu of Nawab family who named itQuamrunnessa Girls School after her mother.

During British period trains had separate women‟s compartments and railway stations were

facilitated with separate waiting rooms. Cinema halls, as recreation centres came up with a

special separate lady‟s corner with the female attendant at the gate. These arrangements

encouraged women to come out in public place. It widened women‟s awareness about

outside world which generated ideas. There was also a Lady‟s Park in Sadarghat area which

allowed interaction among women leading to enlightenment developing sympathy for the

less privileged class and they were motivated to provide help.

During British rule Ramna area was planned as residential space for the British. There

came up a race course in 1941. Along with it emerged Dhaka Gymkhana Club which

basically was used by British officers. The Club and the race course were used by

European Ladies also. The Europeans livinga secluded life, introduced an entirely

different culture where women could move around freely.

Female spacein Dhaka city thus was initiated during the British period through

introduction of educational space and space for health care facilities in Sadarghat and

Bangla Bazar in particular. It increased their competence. They were inspired to improve

poor people‟s life through helping them with material assistance. Women‟s position in

the society improved Economic activities, however, continued to be home based.

WOMEN’S ACTIVITY AND SPACE DURING

PAKISTAN PERIOD, 1947-1971

In 1947, India became independent of British rule and was divided through creation of

Muslim Pakistan on two sides of India and Hindu majority state of India in the middle.


Dhaka became provincial capital of East Pakistan the central capital of the nation being in

West Pakistan. Influx of Muslim migrants from India led to population increase in the

city, from 2.1 lac in 1941 to 5.5 lac in 1961. Area of the city expanded from 6 square

miles in 1947 to 25 square miles in 1962. Spatial evolution of Dhaka City over different

periods is shown in Figure 2.

Space for Female Education- The migrants coming from India were largely Bengali

Muslims from West Bengal (mostly educated) along with the Muslims from Bihar and

other parts of India. The people from West Bengal were less conservative as they were

under strong influence of British culture, Calcutta being the seat of rule of British India

and then of British Bengal. As a result number of Muslim girl students rose fast in Dhaka

and demand for space for girls school became high. Number of female teachers also

increased in the schools expanding women space both spatially and socially. However,

need for government office space led to conversion of the Eden Girls School-College

complex into secretariat offices to accommodate the new responsibilities of the country.

During this period the city spread towardsthe north and female space in public

sphereexpanded throughnew schools- both government and private. As Eden School was

displaced, it was merged with Quamrunnessa Girls School in Hatkhola area during

1948-49 and the college was shifted to Bakshi Bazar. The other girlsschools that came

up, were Bangla Bazar school, Muslim Girls School etc. A new English medium school

named, Viqarunnessaschool was established in Bailey Road by private management.

Holy Cross School and College grew further north in Tejgaon run by the missionaries.

With further expansion of the city, came up Lalmatia Girls School, Dhanmondi Girls

School, Azimpur Girls Schools etc.

During this period, the University of Dhaka occupied whole of Nilkhet and part of

Shahbag area (Banglapedia, 2010). It expanded with new departments, the Arts Faculty

had the largest number of female students, highest number being in the Department of

Bangla,. The Arts Buildings accommodatedalarge space for women‟s common room.

Percent of female students‟ going for university education increased from 4.2 % in 1947-

48 to 14% during 1960-61.

Till 1956 the female students of Dhaka University were attached to the Boys halls. where

they couldnot reside. In 1956, a separate hall came up called Women‟s Hall (Ahsan,

2015). This female space located within the university campus encouraged higher

education for girls from outside Dhaka. The hall was renamed as BegumRokeya Hall in

1964. A new building was also erected to accommodate influx of inter-urban migrant

students. During 1960-61, number of students in Dhaka University expanded to 3,124,

women students being 444. In 1971, another residential space for women,

“ShamsunNahar Hall” was established next to Rokeya Hall.

Girls students going to medical college was 3.4 % in 1947 and 21 % during 1961 (Ahsan,

2015).During 1961-62, the Mitford Medical School was converted to Sir Salimulla

Medical College. In 1962, out of 100 medical students in this college, 21 were girls. A

hostel was erected for girls students within the campus.


As for Health Care Services for female, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Mitford

Hospital, Holy Family Hospital all have maternity wards. A Maternity Hospital came up

in Azimpur. Female space for health care were more noticeable in new Dhaka.

Figure 2: Spatial Evaluation of Dhaka over Different Periods

Source : Islam, 2005

Community Work—During this period, community work for the women and by the

women folk rose. During late 40s and early 50s, educated ladies of Dhaka city became

members of National Guards and took shooting lessons in Peelkhana area for defense and


security purpose. Ladies from upper middle class and upper class families got involved in

developing their communities. The ladies were also engaged in organizing different

voluntary associations and clubs with a goal to alleviate the society. For such community

work, came up Begum Club along Loyl Street in old Dhaka in 1950. It published a

weekly Bengali magazine for women, BEGUM Patrika since 1954 giving various

information and inspiration through progressive articles motivating women to participate

in community work.

The educated ladies from the upper/middle class families of Dhaka city attempted to help

the poor class slum women teaching them how to read and write Bengali,imparting

knowledge in sewing and knitting techniques enabling them to earn extra money for the

families. The associations that came up were Gandaria Mahila Samity, Shishu Rakkha

Samity , All Pakistan Women‟s Association (APWA), Women‟s Volunteers Association

(WVA), Azimpur Mahila Samity, Dhaka Mahila Samity etc. The movement for Girl

Guide also started in the city through different schools. Goals of these associations were

expansion of female education among the poor women, promotion of job opportunities,

i.e. expansion of female space in public sphere, solution of problems of working women,

establishment of family court etc. There also came up a Ladies Club in Eskaton

occupying a noticeable space. WVA occupied spacein Gulistan area- the Girl Guide

association settling in Bailey Road.With attitude and perceptions changing in the society

of Dhaka city a large number of women from all religion and class joined this work force.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

There was a Chinese community living in old Dhaka in the Mitford Area. Women from

this Chinese community took initiative in starting beauty parlors in new Dhaka- the first

respectable female activity space in public area (Ahsan and Ahmad 1996). Concentration

of large numbers of these parlors were in Dhanmondi. Ladies of Ismailia (Aga Khani)

community started cottage Industry shops in Gulistan building around the same time.

There grew shops like Moloo‟s in Sakura Building opposite to Hotel Intercontinental. In

these shops Bengali Muslim women supplied their products or worked there as sales

women. Female space for visible economic activities thus started growing.

Transportation system: in Dhaka city also facilitated women‟s mobility and activities through

introduction of female space within the government run buses which had separate section for

girl passengers with a partition and separate door which dared the girls to step into public

space through using public buses. Slowly girl‟s values were changed. With rising number of

educated girls, female status in the society went up through their participation In the national

politics and civil services.

The city‟s structure took new shape to meet new demand of the society. More space had

to be allocated for girls schools and colleges which mostly came up in new Dhaka

because of availability of space.

The Pakistan period saw development of an industrial area in Tejgaon, business areas in

Motijeel and Gulistan with modern cinema halls, New Market shopping area within walls


in Azimpur, (where female shoppers felt more comfortable moving around), high class

residential area in Dhanmondi and Gulshan, all were planned development.

Female space: Bailey road, Magh Bazar, Eskaton became the heart of visible female

space in public sphere with growth of girls schools and noticeable space for lady‟s

community activities. The other girls schools came up in dispersed pattern all around the

city indicating emergence of women‟s importance. However, no agglomeration of visible

industrial and commercial activities by women in any space, was recorded as yet.

Although many women in Mohammadpur area were engaged in embroidery work on

commercial basis within their households.

WOMEN’S ACTIVITY AND SPACE DURING

CURRENT BANGLADESH PERIOD

After 1971 war of liberation, Bangladesh came into being earning independence from

Pakistan. Dhaka was made the capital of the new nation. The city experienced influx of

thousands of women from the rural areas which were economically and socially

shattered. Millions of families were destroyed- women being raped and tortured left

home with responsibilities of the family. Taboo against women working out 00000+side

home broke down. Impoverished rural folk rushed to the city for survival. These women,

mostly uneducated, found shelter in slums of Dhaka city.

Community work: There grew services of Non Government Organization (NGOs), who

worked for the development of the country. They were almost totally dependent on

foreign funds. It can be said that NGOs are actually the outcome of the aftermath of war

of liberation. Problem of reestablishing the war ravaged infrastructure and rehabilitating

the war thrashed poor people specially the women and children have been the prime field

of activity of many NGOs. In 1996-97 there were about 70 NGOs doing community work

in Dhaka city (Ahsan and Gomes, 1997). They provided education to children and

destitute girls, gave health care services, credit etc. in 3707 slums in the city. There were

also training programs providing different kinds of skills. Almost all the wards have

space for these activities both in old and new Dhaka.

Health care services provided by the NGOs include maternal child health, family

planning, primary health care, HIV-AIDS prevention, anti-natal and post-natal care, day

care for children- all helping women and encouraging them to work.

Credits are provided to women to undertake business through group formation (Ahsan

and Gomes, 1997). These community activities are also helping in changing men‟s

attitude who now allow the women to work.

Women‟s associations helping towards empowering women were Bangladesh Mahila

Parishad, Women for Women, Bangladesh National Lawyers Association etc. Efforts

from the Government have also been emerging as noticed through development of

Bangladesh Mahila Odhidafter (Department of Women Affairs) in Eskaton located in a

huge multi-storied complex. WVA occupied a fairly large space in Dhanmondi. A

women‟s sports complex has been established also in Dhanmondi for women‟s physical

fitness.


Education facilities for women has spread enormously as can be observed through the

city‟s landscape. Primary and secondary education have been made free for poor girls in

the slums. Girls from the middle class and upper class families all attend school- and

many go for higher education. Among the different faculties in the University of Dhaka

the largest number of girls were in Arts Faculty (27.7%), the second being In the Faculty

of Social Science (24.4%) (Ahmed, 2010), Within the faculties however, in 2008, social

science had highest proportions of girls (45%), which trained them to be competent to do

community work with the NGOs and motivated them to participate in economic activities

in male space.

The rise of number of girl students led to demand for expansion of students residential

space. Additional halls came up for girls students- Bangladesh Kuwait Moitree Hall

,Nawab Faizunnessa Choudharani Hall, Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib Hall, Begum Sufia

Kamal Hall. Girls residential space expanded noticeably in the University of Dhaka(DU

Record).

Girls students are getting admission in Bangladesh University of Engineering and

Technology (BUET). Of the total number of students 5.5% were girls in 1986, which rose

to 30% in 2015. Percentage of female teachers is also increasing both in DU and BUET

indicating expansion of activity space of women in the city of Dhaka.

The number of women students going to Medical College were also on the rise with

hostels coming up both in Dhaka Medical College and Mitford Medical College. Other

government educational institutions e.g. Eden Girls College and Home Economics

College in Azimpur, Badrunnessa College in Bakshi Bazar also provide residential space

for girls within the campus. Thus, a continuous female space is observed in Nilkhet,

Azimpur and university areas (Ahsan and Khatu, 2010b).

A large women‟s hostel has come up inNilkhet area since 1980 giving accommodation to

female professionals namely, doctors, teachers, journalists, bankers etc. There is also a

small establishment in Bailey Road accommodating lawyers, doctors, engineers etc.since

1959.

Female space thus concentrate in Magh Bazar, Eskaton, Nilkhet, Azimpur areas- making

a visible mark in the internal structure of the city.

Interesting patterns of informal sector, similar toSadarghat area grew outside the school/

colleges where the sidewalks were occupied by the peddlers. But it is the female peddlers

who sell women‟s materials. Although these activities do not occupy permanent space-

they do occupy space causing problems for the pedestrian to walk a characteristic typical

to the cities such as Dhaka.

Health Care Services. In this present Bangladesh period, health care service, imparted

for women can be observed through emergence of 3 medical colleges that grew for

women only. Of these colleges, the largest space is occupied by Sikder Medical College

in Rayer Bazar- the second one is the Medical College for women and hospital located in

Uttara in the north and the third one, “Ad-Deen Women‟s Medical College” located in

Baro Magh Bazar. Space has also been allocated to a hospital for women and children in

SegunBagicha. It is a branch of BIRDEM.


A survey carried outin 2017 in Green Road- Panthopath area shows a good concentration

of health care facilities with about 16 clinics and hospitals. Here male doctors serving

were 207 while the number of female doctors was 66 (24%). At least 14 lady doctors

were giving specialized treatment for women and children. Space given to women‟s

health care is also noted through nursing colleges which are 14 in number –all located in

new Dhaka

Female Activity Space-- Women‟s position in the society is on the rise. Opportunities are

increasing. They are participating in administration, airlines, commercial flying, banks,

commercial offices etc. leading to a further change in community‟s attitude and

broadening women‟s mind creating confidence which eventually led to motivate the

women to serve the nation by joining different factories which demand large number of

female laborers. This gave them empowerment.

Garments Factory—Of late, readymade garment factories have made a mark in the city‟s

internal structure and country‟s economy. These factories demand women‟s contribution in

the labor force due to their special skill in sewing. Garments factories emerging during the

70s and early 80s in the city of Dhaka flourished with the contribution of cheap female

labor. The number of female laborers rose to 300,000 around 1991 (Islam and Haque,

1991). These factories are located all over the city along the main roads (to good

transportation system necessary for transaction of the products). Figure 3 shows the

distribution pattern of the RMG and textile industries in Greater Dhaka District in 2009. It is

remarkable that the concentration is very high in Dhaka city and it extended towards north

and almost all are located within DMR. The female factory workers, many of them are

coming from rural areas without their family-faced serious problem of accommodation in

the beginning. A study by Ahmed (1998) found that these female factory workers being

single faced obstacles with their human ecological environment which was of a resistance

type- as local people objected to their working in male space and suspected them to have

immoral character. Land lords were adamant to their residing in the society. They had to live

in private arrangement many times with a family as part time household help which further

aggravated their stress of work. In a developing country such as Bangladesh, imperfections

within the society and inequality between men and women among the poor people were

more acute and needed strong community work for change. Gradually through a process of

adjustment response of the community changed. The strong barriers both at community level

and family level were overcome. Slowly acceptance was created and workers found

accommodation near the factory.

The garment factories were mostly located in central Dhaka in Dhanmondi, Azimpur,

Magh Bazar, Kalyanpur, Mohakhali, Gulshan etc. any where land was available. They

created traffic congestion and generated centrifugal forces impelling centrally located

factories to migrate toward the periphery or beyond- the centripetal forces were generated

due to availability of space which would enable any expansion of the factories. It is

similar to the observation of Colby (1963). The factories were attracted to Mirpur along

the main road of Rokeya Sharani. Asector of garments factory emerged. They have

attracted dormitories of housing for women workers in Mirpur, Pirer Bagh, Shyamoli etc.

Of late, a few accommodations have been developed by BRAC in Badda area.


During 2007, female garments workers were about 17,00,000- 75 % of the total labour

force (BGMEA Member Directory, 2007, 2008). turning the factories into female space.

Many factories further moved out to be established in Tongi, Ashulia, Savar, Gazipur as

they needed large space. This has extended the city boundary from Naranyganj upto

Savar having an area of 522sq miles. This area was officially termed as Dhaka Megacity

(Islam 2005), a reflection of cumulative needs of the community (Ratcliff, 1963).

According to ADB-CUS study (2011) however more than 60 % of these factories are still

located within the Dhaka metropolitan area because of ready access to skilled labor.

Eighty per cent of the nation‟s export income is earned by these garments factories

(Khan, 2010).

Figure 3: Distribution Pattern of RMG and Textile Industrial Units in Greater Dhaka Region,2009 Source : ADB and CUS, 2010

FEMALE SPACE IN PUBLIC SPHERE AND INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF

DHAKA CITY

In a conservative Muslim country such as Bangladesh where culture was traditional, free

mixing between men and women not allowed, women were confined within the

house.Women‟s work was not given proper recognition. For the nation‟s benefit

emancipation and development of womenwere essential which necessitated special

attention toward women for coming out of their dark abode. Discrimination against women

in education and health care made them less competent to face the world. Allocation of

separate space for women, providing special opportunities was imperative for improving

their status. Dhaka city structure shows evolution of female space and female activities

contributing to the country‟s economy through community work. Pattern of a city land use is


generally unique depending on the city‟s physical features, resources, history and culture

which have been changing. It is a reflection of cumulative needs of the community (Ratcliff,

1963). In the city of Dhaka changes in size and distribution of population along with the

efforts of the community brought about changes in culture and values through

communication with the outside world. This affected the society‟s attitude toward women‟s

activities and motivated women in participation in the economy. Female space emerged in

the city‟s structure through heath care and educational and community space in and around

Bangla Bazar-Sadarghat area and the status of women improved during the British period

eventually leading to women‟s liberty enabling them to contribute in building the nation.

During Pakistan period, the city of Dhaka spread out towards north. Dhaka took form of

a bi-nodal city, the second node being around Gulistan-Motijheel area. Community

activityof women received attention as seen through community activity space in

different parts of new Dhaka- specially around Bailey Road, Magh Bazar-Eskaton area

not too far from the second node. Women‟s commercial activity emerged through Beauty

Parlours and Boutiques in scattered form (Ahsan and Ahmad, 1996).

During Bangladesh period, the city of Dhaka exhibited a profound alteration in its values

and structure through NGO spaces and space for commercial activities of women.

Garment factories emerging as the most important industry of the country making 80%

contribution in the export earning of the nation- employed mainly women as laborers.

They spread out from the centreof the city to Mirpur. Observation discloses existence of

clearly developed sector of female activities in Dhaka city. Usually the concentration of

one function in an accessible area operates as a powerful magnet attracting similar

functions- thus the garment industries were attracted to Mirpur where Benarasisaree

factories employing female laborers already flourished.

The garment factories operating in large scale require large female labor force which is

drawn from the surrounding area. Residential space for these female laborer grew in this

peripheral area, attracting other services leading to development of isolated store clusters.

Due to requirement for further expansion the factories have extended to Ashulia,Savar

and Gazipurwith messes in these area as well (Figure 4). As a result the female space in

public sphere extended all over the city, mostly along the main arterial roads.

The city of Dhaka continues to evolve with large multistoriedshopping malls. Dhaka

now, can be called a poly centric city with wedges of female spacein public sphere

revealing a pattern which is a combination of multiple nuclei and sector pattern.

However, it exhibits a typical characteristic in development of informal activities through

transaction of women‟s favorite things by the women peddlers along the side walks of the

girls educational centers, i.e. growth of space for female‟s informal activities typical of a

city such as Dhaka.


Figure 4. Female Space of Dhaka City Through Time

Source: Computed by Palash Basak


CONCLUSION

To sum up development of female educational space and special health care space in

Dhaka city has influenced and has been greatly influenced by community work. This led

to eventual progress of women‟s intellect which in turn has changed values and attitudes

of the society leading to women‟s liberty. Community work in the slums helped inspiring

women for work outside their home for earning money and motivated men for allowing

such activities. This was like a movement for social change. It made women successful in

creating female activity space through garment factories which helped in improving the

country‟s economy and changing pattern in the city‟s infrastructure.

In other words, female space in Dhaka has been created by the society and in turn has

helped in forming the city‟s structure and the society anew.

Acknowledgment: Field survey for this research has been conducted by Dr. Soma Dey and the map “Female

Space in Public Sphere of Dhaka City” has been prepared by Mr. Polash Boshak. Their contributions are appreciated with thanks.

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