A few months ago UNESCO recognized the March 7
speech as "Documentary Heritage" (World Certified Heritage). It is very
gleeful and makes us proud. In order to celebrate this glorious event, a
citizen rally was organized in Suhrawardy Udyan. People from different
parts of the country gathered there to emblazon. So far everything was
okay. But there was a problem when several women were being victimized
and harassed in different areas around Shahbagh in the capital,
organized by the rally. Some of the victim women put the status of this
incident on Facebook and these became viral.
Where
did the character and moral values of the people! In an independent
country, women are assaulted on broad daylight, CC cameras and hundreds
of law enforcers are being unable to ensure their security. In this
incident, our Honorable Home Minister said that culprits will be brought
under the law. But how can we get confidence on his words? As far as I
know, it is not possible to arrest any criminal involved in this
incident till now.
At
the festival of Pohala Baishakh, there were similar incidents of female
assault in the same way at the gate of Suhrawardy Udyan, TSC-affiliated
to Dhaka University. The evidence was published in media. But I have
not even heard of the incident that the perpetrators have been punished
exemplary. So this year, the trial of the guilty will be exemplified,
how to put such confidence on the state?
With
regard to the trial of these culprits, the influences of power are
involved. Those criminals who are not related to the power, they are
judged. And those who are in power, they are out of trial. They are
punished only when people force the state to the movement.
Women
assaulting and violence on them is a everyday news in our country.
Opening the pages of the newspaper can be seen --- because of dowry,
because of not agreeing to the proposal of love, during the daily
movement women are subjected to torture and harassment. According to a
recent NGO research report, 94 percent of women in the public transport
were victims of sexual harassment. What a horrific information! Outside
the house or even inside, everywhere women feel insecurity.
A
woman's life has passed through numerous such undesirable experiences.
Because of family and social conditions, many of the victims do not open
their mouth about these issues. In the modern era, with the advancement
of knowledge and science, the character and moral values of the people
should be increased. But what is the reality? Just shame!
In
order to ensure equal rights, dignity and empowerment of women in the
state and social life, like others country International Women's Day is
celebrated every year through various programs in Bangladesh. This year
also the day has been celebrated on 8th of this month.
The
world is now vocal about women's rights and empowerment. Women are
still much more aware of their rights. As a result, gender equality is
not fully established, but women's condition has improved much earlier.
Now women are coming out of the kitchen. Identity of talent and
competence in many important areas of family, society and state has
proved that they do not come to the world only to produce children and
entertain men. Bangladesh's women are fast moving forward with the
empowerment of women in the developed countries of the world.
Bangladesh
is now the role model of women in empowering. The Prime Minister, the
leader of the opposition, the Leader of the Opposition outside
Parliament and the speaker are all women. Besides, women are working
with merit and qualification in the important positions of the
administration.
Through
the knowledge, breaking the chain of subordination, women are moving
forward with their qualifications and patronage of the state. One of the
major sources of export earnings of Bangladesh is the readymade
garments. A major portion of the country's export earnings comes from
this sector. Most of the labourers are women engaged in the garment
industry.
Apart
from this, women's role in agriculture is also remarkable. Women are
working on the development in the countryside with shoulder to shoulder
with men. But despite all, women torturing and assaulting are not
stopped. Women are being deprived of their rights and dignity although
they achieve economic independence. Dowry system, child marriage,
polygamy, religious superstitions, the domination of patriarchal
attitude etc. have become a major obstacle in establishing equal rights
and dignity of women.
There
is no scope to deny that women's participation in national arrangements
and social activities in Bangladesh has increased in comparison. But
oppression and deprivation of women did not stop. International law and
In addition to the Charter, there is a law for protection of women
rights in the country. But sadly, women are still subject to various
tortures including physical, mental, economic and sexual abuse in the
family, in society and in the state.
According
to the report of a private agency, in 2017, 5,583 women were victims of
physical abuse, 757 people have been killed, 888 people have been
victims of mental torture and 628 others tortured. In reality, this
number may be even more. Because many of the victims become silent in
most of the time because of social disappointment.
The
issue of gender equality in the country is not fully established even
today, although half of the population of the country is women. It is
not possible to go ahead ignoring a larger numbers. Equal rights and
dignity of women must be established for the desired developments.
Effective
measures should be taken to stop all forms of violence against women.
It is necessary to awaken everyone's feelings that women are part of the
society and they contribute to the overall development of the country
being partner of men. Promoting positive social outlook and proper
application of law can establish equal rights and dignity of women.
