IUB hosts seminar on women, reform and religion

The Department of Global Studies and Governance (GSG) at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) organised a transdisciplinary seminar titled "Women, Reform and Religion" at the university auditorium.

The seminar featured a keynote presentation by Prof. Dr. Perween Hasan, vice chancellor of Central Women's University, who discussed interpretations of gender roles in religion, according to a press release.

A panel discussion followed with Dr. Samia Huq, professor of anthropology and dean of the School of General Education at BRAC University; Barrister Sara Hossain, senior Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist; and Firoz Ahmed, writer, researcher and editor at University Press Limited (UPL).

Moderated by Prof. Dr. Imtiaz A. Hussain, professor of Global Studies and Governance at IUB, the discussion was followed by a question-and-answer session in which students from IUB and other universities raised questions on family law, criminal law, justice, equality and gender roles. July Movement participant and youth leader Umama Fatema also took part in the discussion.

The programme was moderated by Dr. Marufa Akter, associate professor of the GSG Department.

Prof. Dr. Bokhtiar Ahmed, dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, delivered the welcome remarks. Didar A. Husain, chairman of the IUB Board of Trustees, and Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Daniel W. Lund also addressed the event.

Md. Shanawez Hossain, associate professor and head of the GSG Department, delivered the closing remarks. The Global Gatekeepers, a student club under the department, assisted in organising the seminar.