ঢাকা শহরের মধ্যবিত্ত নারীর সত্তা নির্মাণ ও পুনর্নির্মাণ প্রক্রিয়াকে লিঙ্গীয় সর্ম্পক—নারী শরীর, যৌনতা, মাতৃত্ব, শিক্ষা, ধর্মীয় মূল্যবোধ, সামাজিক সম্পর্ক এবং মধ্যবিত্তের চৈতন্য কীভাবে নারীকে তার সত্তা গঠনে সক্রিয় করে তোলে সেটি বিশ্লেষণের মাধ্যমে এই বইতে তুলে ধরা হয়েছে। অভিজ্ঞতালব্ধ জ্ঞান ও প্রাপ্ত তথ্যের বিশ্লেষণে দেখা যায় যে, ঢাকা শহরের মধ্যবিত্ত নারীর সত্তা একইসাথে নারীর আত্মগত সচেতনতা এবং সামাজিক, সাংস্কৃতিক পরিসরে নির্মিত এক ধরনের চেতনাবোধ। যেখানে নারী তার পারিপার্শ্বিক বাস্তবতার নিরিখে নিজ সত্তার আদল দানে সর্বদা সক্রিয় থাকে এবং উদ্ভূত পরিস্থিতি ও প্রেক্ষাপট বিবেচনায় সত্তার আত্মনির্মাণ ও পুনর্নির্মাণে উদ্যোগী হয়ে ওঠে। মধ্যবিত্ত নারীর নানাবিধ প্রেক্ষিত বিশ্লেষণে নারীর সত্তা নির্মাণ ও পুনর্নির্মাণ প্রেক্ষাপট উপস্থাপন এই গ্রন্থের মূল প্রতিপাদ্য।
রেজওয়ানা করিম স্নিগ্ধা ১৯৮৫ সালের ৫ নভেম্বর ঢাকার আজিমপুর মেটার্নিটিতে জন্মগ্রহণ করেন। তার পৈতৃিক নিবাস পাবনা। তার শিক্ষাজীবনের হাতেখড়ি আইডিয়াল স্কুল অ্যান্ড কলেজ, সেখান থেকেই তিনি মাধ্যমিক ও উচ্চ মাধ্যমিক পাস করেন এবং ২০০২-০৩ শিক্ষাবর্ষে জাহাঙ্গীরনগর বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের নৃবিজ্ঞান বিভাগে ভর্তি হন। স্নাতক ও স্নাতকোত্তর পর্বে তিনি রেকর্ড নম্বর নিয়ে প্রথম শ্রেণীতে প্রথম স্থান অধিকার করেন। তিনি ২০১০ সালে জাহাঙ্গীরনগর বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের নৃবিজ্ঞান বিভাগে যোগদান করেন। বর্তমানে তিনি সেখানে সহযোগী অধ্যাপক হিসেবে অধ্যাপনা করছেন। ২০২১ সালে তিনি নিউজিল্যান্ডের অকল্যান্ড ইউনিভার্সিটি অফ টেকনোলজি থেকে পিএইচডি ডিগ্রী অর্জন করেন। তার পিএইচডি গবেষণার বিষয় ছিল ঢাকা শহরের ‘হিজড়া সম্প্রদায়। লিঙ্গ বৈচিত্র্য, ম্যাসকুলিনিটি ও লিঙ্গীয় বিষয়াবলী, নারীবাদ ও সামাজিক নৃবিজ্ঞানের অপরাপর বিষয় নিয়ে দেশে-বিদেশে বিভিন্ন গবেষণা পত্রিকায় তার লেখা প্রকাশিত হয়েছে। “নারীসত্তার অন্বেষণে” তার প্রথম প্রকাশিত গ্রন্থ।
With extraordinary courage and determination, born in a developing country and raised in a conservative society, breaking the boundaries to the limitations of knowledge, Dr Snigdha Rezwana was decorated with a doctorate degree from the Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand on ‘An Ethnographic Study of Hijra in Dhaka, Bangladesh’ named the thesis ‘Beyond Binaries’. She is affiliated with the “Sex tech lab” in The New School, New York and is currently working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology, at Jahangirnagar University. With more than 12 years of experience teaching in reputable institutions, including the University of Canterbury as a tutor for the Gender Sensitivity and Human Service Course, the Auckland University of Technology as a part-time lecturer in management, and Applied Media Ethics as a tutor for the Business in Context course. She is a devoted and committed professional with a demonstrated aptitude for communication and familiarity with a variety of qualitative research methods. Her areas of interest in research include social anthropology, gender non-binary, masculinity, inequality, body, and sexuality. Dr Snigdha responded when asked why the book hadn't been released earlier: "The book was intended to come out a long time ago, but I did not want to assume any responsibility for publishing the book." As a writer, I am able to both think and write to produce my work. For instance, a chef prepares food for others, not to consume the food they prepare. I know very little to nothing about publishing and lack any ability to communicate with publishers. At the same time, I have very little experience with book marketing. I am neither a novelist nor a poet, my ideas and opinions on society and discrimination are contained in this book. So I consider that this book will be food for thought, if not for your entertainment. Nari Swattar Onneshone is her first published book. Oitijja Prokashoni published it. The book is a highly engaging and enlightening read that demonstrates how women explore their "SELF". It is an in-depth analysis of the ways in which women’s identities are constructed and maintained in our society. In the opening discussion of the book, she explains the "self" of women through theoretical analysis and a philosophical lens. In defining “self” the author begins by examining the concept of essentialism that women are born with certain “essential” traits and characteristics that define them, and that these traits are immutable and unchanging. She then moves on to discuss the importance of acknowledging individual differences and how this relates to existentialism, which is the belief that individuals have the power to create their own meaning and purpose. The author makes a strong argument that these two seemingly opposing philosophies combine harmoniously to form a foundational view of femininity and allows women to create their own identities and narrative. She then goes on to explore the intersection of gender, culture, and identity and how this contributes to the formation of a woman’s “self”. The author carefully presents the process of constructing and re-creating the "SELF" of middle-class women in Dhaka city, along with the issues that drive it—including their female bodies, relationships, sexuality, motherhood, education, religious. Values, Social Relations and Middle Class Consciousness. She highlighted the role of women in determining gender relations rather than simply replacing gender relations with men. Here, she draws attention to the significance that gender relations play in the creation and reconstruction of being. In one section of the book, Dr Snigdha sheds light on the factors that shape women's "self" and examines the influence of language, culture and tradition as well as the role of education in influencing their behaviour and self-image. Throughout, the author draws on her own research and her personal experience to illustrate her points. She also draws on numerous other sources, including literary works, films, and interviews with women from different backgrounds. Dr Snigdha uses examples from literature and philosophy to illustrate her views and to show how women's identities and experiences are shaped by the world around them. She also discusses the importance of lifestyle choices and the impact of social, economic, and political structures on women's lives. The author presents a particular argument to the reader that women's self-formation is a complex and ongoing process that is deeply influenced by society's attitudes, norms and expectations. She further argues that women’s identity construction is not a linear process, but rather one that is dynamic and constantly changing. She reasons that women are evaluated not only based on "biological distinctions," but also based on how their selves are created, how they are interested in viewing themselves through their reality and how their being is positioned considering its contextual reality. In this event, Dr Snigdha feels it is important to examine the identity of women in two areas: First, how is the definition of femininity being constructed? Second, is the woman "by herself" constructing her "self" or is she participating in the process of constructing her "self"? The author has reasoned that focusing on these two aspects allows us to comprehend multidimensional reality and the diversity of beings. Because not all women of the same class have the same identity. She examines the role of gender identity in the self-formation of women, and how their body, sexuality and motherhood shape their "self". Her discussion of how patriarchal and cultural and social norms impact the self-perception of women in Dhaka City is particularly interesting. The use of capital in the construction of women's "self" is also discussed in her book. Her explanations are clear and concise with numerous examples from the lived experiences of the participants to support her studies. Her thoughts highlight the multidimensional reality of women and their self. She offers insightful explanations of how theoretical discourses of femininity and the construction of "being" can be applied to understanding concepts affecting female identity, while her own arguments are remarkably well-analysed and persuasive. Dr Snigdha’s book is an important contribution to the field of women’s studies and gender studies. It is an accessible yet detailed analysis of the ways in which women’s identities are shaped and maintained. The author’s thoughtful and thought-provoking analysis of the sources and influences of female identity formation is sure to be of interest to anyone interested in the study of gender and women’s rights. The book is well-researched and meticulously written, providing an insightful and comprehensive look at the lives of women in Dhaka. Snigdha’s writing is captivating and engaging and her analysis is perceptive and enlightening. The book is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to gain insight into the lives and experiences of the women of Dhaka and the challenges they face. Highly recommended! Nahid Aktar Teacher, International School of St Petersburg, Russia
This book is significant to understand middle-class Bangladeshi women in Dhaka city. it has been described how the women self has been constructed throughout time. It argues the self is not an absolute thing but a variable. It combines theories and empirical data, which will lead one to how to do an ethnography.
Also, this book is convenient for the students to understand how to conduct qualitative research. Moreover, students in social sciences, gender studies and anthropology will be highly beneficiary.
Feminists who are thinking about exploring new cutting-edge knowledge about the recent development of feminist thoughts and practices in Bangladesh can be enriched themselves with the book.