17 hours Ago
In Bangladesh, this year's International Women's Day saw protests and marches by people from all walks of life across the country, demanding the safety of women and girls. The day arrived at a time when an eight-year-old girl was raped in Magura and a female student of Dhaka University was verbally harassed by a bookbinder of the university library. Protesters called for stricter measures to punish the perpetrators without delay.
Violence and discrimination against women are not new in Bangladesh. In recent times, many women have faced scrutiny and moral policing regarding their clothing choices. So, the sense of insecurity among women has escalated significantly.
This insecurity is compounded by the rise of mob justice, virtual harassment, and public shaming, which have instilled widespread fear among the population—both women and men. The weak law and order situation has emboldened perpetrators, leading to a surge in gender-based violence (GBV) and all forms of harassment. These incidents undermine the spirit of the July uprising, which called for establishing a discrimination-free society.
The situation has been further aggravated by insensitive comments by a government adviser regarding women smoking in public places, reflecting a lack of understanding of gender issues. While the interim government has formed a Women's Affairs Reform Commission, demonstrating a commitment to gender equality, its lack of substantial action on moral policing and GBV is deeply frustrating. Indeed, despite economic progress over the last five decades since our independence, GBV has not decreased.
Like in many other countries, violence against women seems to be pervasive and unstoppable in our country. Women of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds are victims of violence—both in rural and urban areas. It manifests in multiple forms, including physical, sexual, and verbal abuse.
Women face violence from their own family members within their homes, with domestic violence being a common reality. After marriage, many women continue to experience abuse at the hands of their husbands and in-laws. The above-mentioned rape victim was violated by her sister's father-in-law, who should have played the role of a guardian.
The problem extends beyond the domestic sphere—educational institutions often fail to provide a safe learning environment. Female students are subjected to verbal and physical harassment by male classmates, teachers, and other officials. Similarly, workplaces are not always safe for women, as they frequently encounter harassment and exploitation from supervisors and male colleagues.
Public spaces, including public transport and open areas, pose further risks, where incidents of sexual harassment, assault, and even rape are alarmingly common. The root cause of gender-based violence lies in deeply entrenched power imbalances between men and women. Though still lower than that of men, women's participation in the labour market has increased over time, giving them some economic freedom but failing to stop violence against them.
Addressing this issue necessitates structural reforms at various levels. Economic empowerment and legal protections are crucial but insufficient if social and cultural mindsets do not evolve. Historically, women have been viewed as weaker and less important than men, which reinforces harmful gender norms that justify their oppression.
Cultural attitudes in Bangladesh often celebrate power and dominance, allowing the strong to exploit the weak with impunity. This toxic culture not only victimises women but also affects marginalised men, who suffer under similar power hierarchies. Education plays a crucial role in changing mindsets.
Therefore, schools must instil values of gender equality and respect from an early age. Beyond formal education, mass media and community programmes can challenge harmful gender norms by promoting positive representations of women. Families, too, have a fundamental responsibility in shaping children's perceptions of gender roles.
Parents need to foster an environment where boys and girls are treated equally and where boys are taught to respect women as equals rather than as subordinates. Political factors play a decisive role in shaping social behaviour and ensuring accountability for crimes against women. In Bangladesh, the culture of impunity is a significant driver of violence.
When perpetrators of rape, harassment, or violence are shielded by political connections, it sends a message that such crimes will not be punished. Many criminals take refuge under the protection of political parties, escaping legal consequences. In turn, law enforcement agencies are often unable to act without approval from higher political authorities.
In the face of strong protests from citizens, the rapist in the above case has been arrested, and the government has promised to complete the trial quickly by changing some legal provisions. However, such actions are not visible in the case of other perpetrators who have committed similar crimes, as they are wealthy and politically connected. Despite having several laws and policies to address these crimes, their implementation remains a significant challenge.
In fact, the man who harassed the university student was released after his arrest, allegedly due to pressure from a certain group. The helplessness of the state in the face of such pressures is astounding! The legal framework requires robust enforcement. But the justice system often fails to deliver due to corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and political influence.
Our experience indicates that ensuring justice is not an automatic process. It requires a systemic shift in attitudes and governance structures that uphold the rule of law. Unfortunately, this lack of accountability emboldens not only politically connected offenders but also ordinary criminals who believe they can act without consequences.
Ending this cycle requires strong political will and judicial independence to ensure that laws are enforced impartially and that perpetrators, regardless of their status, are brought to justice. Another important issue is that, despite numerous policies and legal frameworks aimed at combating violence against women, its widespread persistence indicates that legal instruments alone are insufficient. A holistic approach is necessary.
Violence against women and girls is not just a women's issue—it is a societal crisis that hinders national progress. Achieving a violence-free society requires a comprehensive and sustained effort from all sectors, including the government, civil society, youth, and all individuals. Unless decisive action is taken, the achievements of Bangladeshi women over the past five decades will be at risk.
A safer, more inclusive Bangladesh is not only possible but imperative for the nation's development. Dr Fahmida Khatun is executive director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. Views expressed in this article are the author's own.
Views expressed in this article are the author's own. Follow The Daily Star Opinion on Facebook for the latest opinions, commentaries, and analyses by experts and professionals. To contribute your article or letter to The Daily Star Opinion, see our submission guidelines.
In Bangladesh, this year's International Women's Day saw protests and marches by people from all walks of life across the country, demanding the safety of women and girls. The day arrived at a time when an eight-year-old girl was raped in Magura and a female student of Dhaka University was verbally harassed by a bookbinder of the university library. Protesters called for stricter measures to punish the perpetrators without delay.
Violence and discrimination against women are not new in Bangladesh. In recent times, many women have faced scrutiny and moral policing regarding their clothing choices. So, the sense of insecurity among women has escalated significantly.
This insecurity is compounded by the rise of mob justice, virtual harassment, and public shaming, which have instilled widespread fear among the population—both women and men. The weak law and order situation has emboldened perpetrators, leading to a surge in gender-based violence (GBV) and all forms of harassment. These incidents undermine the spirit of the July uprising, which called for establishing a discrimination-free society.
The situation has been further aggravated by insensitive comments by a government adviser regarding women smoking in public places, reflecting a lack of understanding of gender issues. While the interim government has formed a Women's Affairs Reform Commission, demonstrating a commitment to gender equality, its lack of substantial action on moral policing and GBV is deeply frustrating. Indeed, despite economic progress over the last five decades since our independence, GBV has not decreased.
Like in many other countries, violence against women seems to be pervasive and unstoppable in our country. Women of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds are victims of violence—both in rural and urban areas. It manifests in multiple forms, including physical, sexual, and verbal abuse.
Women face violence from their own family members within their homes, with domestic violence being a common reality. After marriage, many women continue to experience abuse at the hands of their husbands and in-laws. The above-mentioned rape victim was violated by her sister's father-in-law, who should have played the role of a guardian.
The problem extends beyond the domestic sphere—educational institutions often fail to provide a safe learning environment. Female students are subjected to verbal and physical harassment by male classmates, teachers, and other officials. Similarly, workplaces are not always safe for women, as they frequently encounter harassment and exploitation from supervisors and male colleagues.
Public spaces, including public transport and open areas, pose further risks, where incidents of sexual harassment, assault, and even rape are alarmingly common. The root cause of gender-based violence lies in deeply entrenched power imbalances between men and women. Though still lower than that of men, women's participation in the labour market has increased over time, giving them some economic freedom but failing to stop violence against them.
Addressing this issue necessitates structural reforms at various levels. Economic empowerment and legal protections are crucial but insufficient if social and cultural mindsets do not evolve. Historically, women have been viewed as weaker and less important than men, which reinforces harmful gender norms that justify their oppression.
Cultural attitudes in Bangladesh often celebrate power and dominance, allowing the strong to exploit the weak with impunity. This toxic culture not only victimises women but also affects marginalised men, who suffer under similar power hierarchies. Education plays a crucial role in changing mindsets.
Therefore, schools must instil values of gender equality and respect from an early age. Beyond formal education, mass media and community programmes can challenge harmful gender norms by promoting positive representations of women. Families, too, have a fundamental responsibility in shaping children's perceptions of gender roles.
Parents need to foster an environment where boys and girls are treated equally and where boys are taught to respect women as equals rather than as subordinates. Political factors play a decisive role in shaping social behaviour and ensuring accountability for crimes against women. In Bangladesh, the culture of impunity is a significant driver of violence.
When perpetrators of rape, harassment, or violence are shielded by political connections, it sends a message that such crimes will not be punished. Many criminals take refuge under the protection of political parties, escaping legal consequences. In turn, law enforcement agencies are often unable to act without approval from higher political authorities.
In the face of strong protests from citizens, the rapist in the above case has been arrested, and the government has promised to complete the trial quickly by changing some legal provisions. However, such actions are not visible in the case of other perpetrators who have committed similar crimes, as they are wealthy and politically connected. Despite having several laws and policies to address these crimes, their implementation remains a significant challenge.
In fact, the man who harassed the university student was released after his arrest, allegedly due to pressure from a certain group. The helplessness of the state in the face of such pressures is astounding! The legal framework requires robust enforcement. But the justice system often fails to deliver due to corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and political influence.
Our experience indicates that ensuring justice is not an automatic process. It requires a systemic shift in attitudes and governance structures that uphold the rule of law. Unfortunately, this lack of accountability emboldens not only politically connected offenders but also ordinary criminals who believe they can act without consequences.
Ending this cycle requires strong political will and judicial independence to ensure that laws are enforced impartially and that perpetrators, regardless of their status, are brought to justice. Another important issue is that, despite numerous policies and legal frameworks aimed at combating violence against women, its widespread persistence indicates that legal instruments alone are insufficient. A holistic approach is necessary.
Violence against women and girls is not just a women's issue—it is a societal crisis that hinders national progress. Achieving a violence-free society requires a comprehensive and sustained effort from all sectors, including the government, civil society, youth, and all individuals. Unless decisive action is taken, the achievements of Bangladeshi women over the past five decades will be at risk.
A safer, more inclusive Bangladesh is not only possible but imperative for the nation's development. Dr Fahmida Khatun is executive director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. Views expressed in this article are the author's own.
Views expressed in this article are the author's own. Follow The Daily Star Opinion on Facebook for the latest opinions, commentaries, and analyses by experts and professionals. To contribute your article or letter to The Daily Star Opinion, see our submission guidelines.
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