Gender discrimination in Manipuri community of Bangladesh: An ethnographic study

Abstract

Sylhet division is located in the North-eastern part of Bangladesh. The greater Sylhet division contains a significant concentration of ethnic peoples’ of Bangladesh. Among them, Manipuris are remarkable in approach and activities. Their settlement in this region brings a long historical legacy of war and conflict among the kings (Raja) of the Manipur state of India. They have been living in this region for hundreds of years. They mostly live in the green forest and plain lands close to the nature. The Manipuris of this region never like the interference of the people of other community, and they never welcome the stranger. They have their own socio-cultural background, religious beliefs, values, rituals and economic system. Their patriarchal social structure and restricted approach are the main hindrance to conduct comprehensive and systematic study on them. The researcher conducted the study titled on “Gender Discrimination in Manipuri Community of Bangladesh: An Ethnographic Study” which was very challenging in their socioeconomic context. This study has been conducted following qualitative approach based on primary and secondary data. The ethnographic research design has been followed employing purposive sampling method. In-depth interview, focus group discussion and observation have been considered as the most important data collection tools. Study findings reveal that Manipuri community is not aware about gender discrimination. But gender discrimination exists extremely in this community; specially women are dominated, neglected and oppressed in every walk of life. Their position is vulnerable and considering subordinate and inferior to male. The patriarchal social structure, male dominated family pattern, poverty, lack of education and awareness, tradition and superstitions, religious beliefs and customs are responsible for making women subordinate and imposing unequal treatment to them in Manipuri society. The Manipuris cultural practices also present women as the passive actors and factors. Gender discrimination starts from family in the community and prevails throughout the life from birth to death. The glorious ‘Sashthi’ ceremony of a boy baby’s birth held by the parents and family, and their attitudes express the symbol of discrimination between a boy and a girl. In family, women take their meals at last and at least after feeding all other members of the family. Male gets special preference regarding food, clothes, health, nutrition, movement, education, services, marriage, divorce and property inheritance. Women have no freedom of choice and decision making rights; they only bound to hold the decisions of the male. Besides the husband and other male members of the family, they must obey and respect to the decision of the ‘Panchayet’ (male dominated institution). Furthermore, women are discriminated and harassed by other women of in-law families. In addition to that they are not only discriminated within their own community, but also oppressed and harassed by the majority Bengali people. The government and non-government organizations, civil society, international donor agencies, political leaders and social workers should play key role to reduce and eliminate the remaining discrimination against Manipuri women, and to include them in the efforts of national development as the active partner of holistic development programs of Bangladesh. The researcher hopes that the study findings will be the path finder and guidelines for future researchers and academics opening up the horizon of original knowledge which is assumed to pave the way for further study on the very issue in a different angle calling attention to policy makers in this regard to promote the situation of Manipuri women of Bangladesh.