Editorial
Another Pinky ends her life
Women and girls must be ensured protection and justice
The story of yet another Pinky's suicide in the news is like a déjà vu. In 2010, 14 girls, including 13-year-old Nashfia Akhand Pinky, who were victims of sexual harassment, committed suicide within a span of four months. Two days ago, 15-year-old Sadia Akhter Pinky's family, after her being abducted by an 18-year-old classmate and local thug last month, was threatened by the man's family 'with dire consequences' to withdraw a case filed against him. Unable to cope with the fear of their threats, Pinky hanged herself.
There have been other incidents since. Sometimes they occur at a higher frequency or receive greater media coverage, but sexual harassment remains a reality for most girls and women in Bangladesh. In the absence of protection and justice, suicide has often been the chosen last resort for the helpless.
Promoting gender equality and empowering women is one of the Millennium Development Goals embraced by Bangladesh. Yet our women and girls are not secure in their own schools, neighbourhoods, homes. In the recent case of Pinky, the man accused of abducting her, was arrested and jailed under prevention of women and children repression laws. But the victim and her family had no form of legal protection from the perpetrator and his family's threats. They apparently had no form of social or moral support which could have helped Pinky to overcome her difficult situation.
Our laws, our families, our social institutions are failing our women and girls. Until three years ago, 'sexual harassment' was not even recognised as a crime in Bangladesh; the 2009 High Court guidelines against it are yet to be passed as law. New Delhi has risen in flaming revolt protesting the rape of a woman on a public bus. Should we not at least demand an end, legally and socially, to the sexual harassment of our women and girls, making them feel compelled to end their lives?
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