Political transitions often bring both opportunity and uncertainty. On April 9, join the University of Iowa (UI) South Asian Studies Program, an International Programs affinity group, for the chance to examine those dynamics during a virtual conversation on the future of democracy in Bangladesh.
The Future of Democracy in Post-Election Bangladesh: A conversation with Dr. Rezwana Karim Snigdha
Date & Time: Thursday, April 9, 2026, 5 – 6:15 p.m. (CDT)
The conversation will examine the political and social landscape in Bangladesh following the country’s February 2026 general election. The election concluded a period of interim governance that followed a student-led uprising in 2024, marking a new phase in the country’s democratic trajectory.
The virtual event will feature Rezwana Karim Snigdha, associate professor of anthropology at Jahangirnagar University in Dhaka. Snigdha is an anthropologist and gender expert whose research focuses on gender justice, sexuality, reproductive health, and marginalized communities in Bangladesh.
During the conversation, Snigdha will discuss the political and social implications of the recent election and explore the challenges and opportunities facing Bangladeshi society at this pivotal moment. Particular attention will be given to how political change may affect vulnerable communities, including women and religious and ethnic minorities.
“This event will provide an overview of the current state of society and politics in Bangladesh, one of the most populous democracies of Asia,” shared Aniruddha Dutta, associate professor of gender, women’s and sexuality studies, and co-director of the South Asian Studies Program. “The speaker, an eminent anthropologist and gender expert, will discuss the road ahead after the general election that happened in Bangladesh in February 2026, especially addressing the future possibilities and challenges faced by vulnerable sections of Bangladeshi society, particularly women and minorities, at this historic moment.”
About the Author
Dr. Rezwana Karim Snigdha is an anthropologist, gender expert, and development professional with over 20 years of experience in teaching, feminist research, training, and advocacy. She is associate professor of anthropology at Jahangirnagar University (Dhaka, Bangladesh), where she integrates scholarship with social engagement. She authored the book In Search of Women’s Self: An Ethnographic Study of Middle-Class Women in Dhaka (2023). She earned her PhD at the Auckland University of Technology (New Zealand), where she completed the thesis "Beyond Binaries: An Ethnographic Study of Hijra in Dhaka, Bangladesh.” Her research spans gender justice, sexuality, reproductive health, body politics, climate vulnerability, and medical anthropology, with a strong focus on marginalized and gender-diverse communities.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Daniel Vorwerk in advance at 319-497-1619 or daniel-vorwerk@uiowa.edu.
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.