Advocate Shahanur Islam, the founder of the Justice Makers Bangladesh Foundation (JMBF), presented a pivotal paper titled "Mapping LGBTQI+ Challenges in Bangladesh: A Media Analysis 2023" at the 6th World Conference on Social Sciences Studies (#3SCONF). The conference, held from June 20-22, 2024, in Vienna, Austria, brought together leading scholars, activists, and practitioners to discuss pressing social science issues.
Islam’s presentation highlighted the systematic monitoring and analysis of media portrayals and coverage of LGBTQI+ issues in Bangladesh throughout 2023. The paper underscored the significant challenges faced by the LGBTQI+ community in a socio-political landscape marked by conservative attitudes and legal constraints.
"We aimed to provide an objective assessment of how the media in Bangladesh addresses LGBTQI+ issues," Islam stated. "By mapping these challenges, we hope to create a foundation for better understanding and eventually overcoming the obstacles that hinder the rights and recognition of LGBTQI+ individuals in our society."
Key findings from the paper include:
Media Representation: A disproportionate amount of negative coverage and lack of positive representation of LGBTQI+ individuals in mainstream Bangladeshi media.
Public Perception: The influence of media narratives on public attitudes towards the LGBTQI+ community, often reinforcing stereotypes and stigmas.
Legal and Social Barriers:The ongoing legal and social barriers that prevent LGBTQI+ individuals from accessing equal rights and protections.
Islam’s research not only maps out the current challenges but also offers recommendations for media practices that could foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh.
The 6th World Conference on Social Sciences Studies provided a critical platform for the dissemination of this research, allowing for international dialogue and collaboration on strategies to address these urgent issues. Attendees from diverse backgrounds engaged in discussions that spanned various aspects of social sciences, including human rights, media studies, and LGBTQI+ advocacy.
As part of his concluding remarks, Islam emphasized the importance of continued research and activism. "We must work collectively to change the narrative and support the LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh. This paper is a step towards that goal, but there is much more to be done."
Shahanur Islam’s contribution to the conference was met with acclaim, further establishing the necessity for global attention and action on LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh and beyond.
You can read the conference proceeding visit by the following link: https://www.dpublication.com/abstract-of-6th-3sconf/1178/
No comments:
Post a Comment