Every year on March 07, men and women together all around Bangladesh rejoice the courage, perseverance and strength of our nation's leader. They celebrate freedom and free movement. However, Bangladesh as of yet has a lot to ensure proper free movement, but the bigger question is: Are there active efforts to turn this country safer for our women?
Every grand celebration in our city turns out to be a platform for sexual assault. This year's grand rally in Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka city on March 07 was no exception to this culture of assault. Such rallies took place all around Dhaka on March 07 and so did multiple assaults. While most assaults might have gone unreported, at least four of them were reported for which the home minister promised action.
A father reported the assault on his daughter while she was taking the Bangla Motor route and came across the procession marking the historic 1971 declaration of independence speech by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Around 15-20 marchers wearing white t-shirts and chanting the slogan of 'Joy Bangla' decided to surround the girl while she was trying to get on a bus. They began tearing her clothes and sexually harassing her publicly, where the by-standers recorded the whole incident but did not bother to step in for the girl. Later, a police rescued the girl and got her on a bus.
Two similar events unfolded around Dhaka University where bottles were used to drench women passing by and humiliate them. A girl who was taking her mother to a hospital was not spared either.
The day before International Women's Day (March 08) turned out as a horrifying experience for a lot of women in Dhaka. While this comes as no shock, actions are still not strongly taken to tackle the problem either. The predators are perhaps still roaming free to use their power on any next opportunity they receive.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has promised to look into the matter and confirmed the Bangla Motor harassment through CCTV footage. However, the punishment for those responsible for the incident is still unsure. Women in Dhaka are in a constant fear of such incidents and unless at least one of the punishments stand strong as an example, they always will be.
The writer is currently studying Economics at BRAC University, she can be reached at [email protected]
