My name is Tania Ferdous, my journey into the area of Human Rights and social justice has been shaped by my experience of visiting various places, living with different communities and my responsibilities that I feel for vulnerable, marginalized people. I was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a densely populated country which taught me how structural inequality affect people’s everyday life. However, I was raised in a loving family that encourage girls deeply to be educated and join in the service. I also had very good friends who supported me in reaching my full potential. Some of my most wonderful memories come from travelling with them throughout the country, specially to the hill side areas, such as Bandarban, Rangamati, where many of our Indigenous people live. This is how I was introduced to the lives of my country’s Indigenous peoples, and the struggles they face.   

My academic journey started at the University of Dhaka where I completed my Bachelor in Law (LLB) and Masters in Law (LLM). Along with my studies, I was involved in a University student organization named ‘Prapad’ and participated in many activities to support marginalized people of our country. I regularly participated in the organization’s ‘winter clothing donation’ activities for people in need. I eventually became a coordinator and lead the team for 2 years. In addition to that, I also participated in other activities of this student organization, including various issues of university students, advocacy for rickshaw pullers, garments workers. During this time I also worked as a staff reporter for a national newspaper, JaiJaiDin where I wrote on legal issues, social reforms, law reforms, children rights, labor rights. These experiences helped me to connect deeply with human rights and social justice issues and act for it as well to create a better society.

After completing my studies in Bangladesh, I went to London, UK for higher studies. I completed my Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) in London and was called to the bar at Honorable Society of Inner Temple. Living in London gave me wider perspective and I learnt about different cultures, world view, resilience as I met people from diverse background and culture.

Although I was trained as a lawyer, my heart remained with jobs that directly empower women, children, disadvantaged people and marginalized groups. This urge led me to join an NGO in Bangladesh named, ‘Bangladesh national Woman Lawyers’ Association’ (BNWLA), where I worked for about 2 years in a project for protecting women and children rights. During my work period here I encountered various victims, survivors of rape, domestic violence and trafficking. Working here shaped my future career goal to work in the field of social justice where I can use my legal knowledge as well.

To be trained more on Human Rights and Social justice, I moved to Canada in the year of 2024 to pursue my Masters course, MA in Human Rights and Social Justice at Thompson Rivers university, which is a reputed university in Bangladesh. In this course I learnt not only theories, but also got ethical, practical and experiential learnings.

As part of this course I have done my practicum at ‘Big Bear Child and Youth Advocacy Center (CYAC), in Kamloops which was very meaningful. By working here, I learnt about child survivors of violence, abuse, rape, and maltreatment. I learnt about immigrant mothers and their children in Canada who suffer various kinds of violence committed by their partners, husbands, family members. Due to cultural gaps, shame and ignorance these women fail to seek help for themselves and their children. As part of my practicum, I developed a handbook that will help immigrant mothers how to navigate for support.