Amidst the serene backdrop of Baridhara Lakeside Rajuk Park, Dhaka Flow organised its eagerly awaited “Inspire Her Wellness” festival in honour of International Women's Day on 8 and 9 March 2024. This event not only commemorated International Women's Day but also set a precedent for wellness and empowerment initiatives — it was a call to action for inclusion and a celebration of women's multifaceted roles in society.

Although there is much merit to the representation of women’s pain, the evolution of the heavily aestheticised “sad girl” trope in popular culture has started to make a mawkish caricature of real women’s suffering

For decades, Bollywood has been primarily driven by the "male gaze," where women were portrayed through the lens of male desire and societal expectations. They presented women in stereotypical roles, often as damsels in distress, sacrificing lovers, or objects of desire. This male gaze manifested in hyper-sexualisation, passive narratives and limited agency. Women rarely drove the plot. Their actions and desires revolved around men, reinforcing traditional gender roles. They were portrayed as lacking control over their lives, with their choices dictated by societal norms or male characters.

In an industry spotlighting talent and storytelling, recent controversies have cast a harsh light on a persistent issue: colourism in casting. The latest uproar emerged when photos of popular actress Sabila Nur surfaced, displaying her intentionally darkened complexion for an upcoming drama, "Bidisha", which is slated to be released today, on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Ironically, this deliberate alteration of the skin complex for the role contradicts the very essence of celebrating this day, sparking a crucial debate over the representation of skin complexion and societal standards.

Women are crazy because they set the bar ridiculously high for themselves, with no thought of self-preservation.

Dhaka loves celebrations! Any whiff of festivities and we jump right in. So, today – March 8 -- is no different.