Editorial
Making Bangladesh's women feel secure
Rhetoric must be translated into action
The figures say it all. Between January and September this year, no fewer than 434 incidents of stalking of women have been recorded in the country. In the same period, 22 women, unable to resist their tormentors, opted to commit suicide. Note too that other instance of shame in the period we speak of: 34 fatwas have been issued in different regions of the country over incidents involving women -- and this when there are clear High Court directives against fatwas. Overall, these figures inform us of all that we as citizens yet need to do where guaranteeing the safety and security of women is concerned. There is little question that a clear degree of awareness has been created among the populace regarding the menace of stalking or sexual harassment of women throughout the country. The spirited manner in which citizens have been coming together to combat the danger is out there for us to see. It is a condition that should make us feel happy, for seemingly matters are under control. But are they?
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, which at its news conference on Wednesday to mark International Women Repression Resistance Fortnightly duly reminded the nation of the worries which yet remain. Add to that the efforts being expended by the Campaign to Work with Men and Boys, a network of 32 NGOs engaged in securing justice for women, towards ensuring an end to stalking and sexual harassment. Both the organizations have served clear notice that the movement to make our women safe in every sense of the term must move from rhetoric to concrete action. While one may feel happy at all this sense of awareness on the issue being raised, one will also understand the thought that unless the government moves swiftly and unrelentingly against stalkers and others who abuse the rights and dignity of women, not much will be there to demonstrate our collective seriousness about the issue. The Bangladesh Mahila Parishad has urged the authorities to go for a tougher handling of the menace facing women through a full and unfettered application of such laws as the domestic violence act. One must note here that when we speak of the problems women face in the country, it is not merely the matter of stalking but a whole range of abuses both in the home and outside as well that they are confronted with. At this point, we cannot reassure ourselves that our enhanced awareness of women's rights has in a significant way led to a decline in violence against them. The suicides and the fatwas issued by unscrupulous men are a sign of the mindset yet remaining resistant to attitudinal change in our society.
Whilst expressing solidarity with the Fortnightly, to be observed between November 25 and December 10, we look upon this as one more opportunity for a meaningful push to be given to the movement against violence perpetrated on women. Let us not delude ourselves: unless we begin to see results (and those can be ensured only with a tough administration in charge), we cannot convince ourselves that Bangladesh's women --- at home, in the workplace and on the roads --- are safe and that their dignity and reputations will no more be trifled with.
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