Women bashing
Women in our country are always the target of violence and oppression. They are to be dominated by men--the stronger sex. This is a common scene in Bangladesh--a country where the independent thinking of a woman is very much subjected to social criticism. In our country women cannot get the recognition that they deserve because their credibility is suppressed by the conservative mentality of society. A woman working alone on her own would often have to endure ugly remarks thrown at her if her job is considered “disrespectful” when it is not. For instance, a woman working as a garments worker whose wage is poor may fall victim to insulting comments which she may or may not be able to wash off her hands. Sometimes, working overtime especially in late hours may cause an unfortunate female worker to become susceptible to sexual assaults. A housewife would often have to pay a comparatively higher price for the same kilogram of vegetables when her male counterpart would easily get away with paying a lesser price. A desperate mother who is a single parent working after 6.00pm would be teased and be a topic of backbiting in our society when all she is to be blamed for is to choose to earn her own living for her children, instead of sitting idle at home. These are some of the many examples of discrimination which the women in our country face every day and there is nothing to do about it.
When my eyes caught a glimpse of the recent initiative taken by UNDP to increase the number of women police officers, I was very delighted. This is a good step that has been taken because it would enhance awareness of women's rights and their role in our society. This venture would strengthen the position of women in our country . Now the culprits involved in various forms of oppression and violence on women would be a lot more cautious because a female police officer would be able to understand better the problems of female victims of domestic torture-- being a woman herself. She would be able to implement strict measures to assure unbiased justice to the victims and punish the criminals.
The women who would come for a complaint would be encouraged at the powerful position that a female like herself is acquiring and would feel emotionally strong to fight against her oppressors. She would not feel insecure and physically vulnerable.
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