Women politically sidelined since August 5
Before the anti-discrimination movement, there was the anti-quota movement. We, the female students of Dhaka University, used to march in protests. Initially, boys also participated, but due to pressure from the student wing of the ruling party in male dormitories, their numbers gradually decreased. However, since female dormitories did not face the same pressure, we could bring out large processions. Students from institutions like Badrunnesa College, Eden College, and Dhaka Nursing College joined in significant numbers. This spontaneous and substantial participation of women played a crucial role in the movement. We believed that if enough women participated, the ruling student wing would not dare to attack us.