Silence on Violence Against Women Alarming

The struggle against gender-based discrimination extends far beyond public spaces and workplaces, reaching deep into family life, experts warn. Prominent lawyer and human rights activist Barrister Sara Hossain emphasised that violence, harassment, and discrimination occurring within homes are often overlooked or silently endured. “It is this silence that poses a profound societal crisis,” she remarked.

Speaking at a discussion organised by the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Dhaka Metropolitan South, at the National Press Club on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Hossain highlighted the need for awareness at both public and private levels. The event, titled “Women’s Struggle Against Aggression, Hatred, and Dominance: The Future of Bangladesh”, brought together activists, scholars, and policymakers to analyse structural issues affecting women.

The keynote paper was presented by Dipti Dutta, a faculty member of the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Dhaka. She argued that incidents of violence, sexual assault, and social prejudice against women in Bangladesh cannot be viewed in isolation. “Addressing the root social and political structures behind these incidents is crucial for any meaningful reform,” Dutta said.

The session was chaired by Comrade Joly Talukdar, with contributions from Professor Dr Akhtar Banu, Comrade Laki Akhtar, and Mamata Chakraborty.

Barrister Hossain further stated, “Political regimes in the country may change, but retaliatory politics targeting women persist. Violence and attacks against women, irrespective of party or ideology, must end. Over the past year and beyond, we have witnessed assaults and harassment against women even during the Awami League government. Women must be empowered to speak out against all forms of injustice.”

Comrade Laki Akhtar drew attention to attempts by extremist factions to restrict women’s working hours. “We advocate for equal pay and safe work environments for women,” he said. Mamata Chakraborty, CPB Dhaka Metropolitan South’s women’s affairs secretary, added, “Women continue to suffer in a culture of impunity.”

Meanwhile, at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, the women’s organisation Narir Songhoti hosted a discussion titled “Expectations of Transformation: Women’s Civic Status and Security”. Former advisor to the caretaker government, Farida Akhtar, observed that although changes in women’s status were anticipated following the July political upheaval, tangible improvements remain limited.

The session, presided over by Narir Songhoti President Shyamoli Shil and facilitated by General Secretary Aparajita Chanda, featured speakers including Tania Ferdousi Rob, senior vice-president of JSD, Jagannath University lecturer Fatema Sultana Shuvra, and Dr Bushra Zaman.

The key points and speakers from both sessions are summarised below:

Together, these discussions underscored the urgent need for societal vigilance, legal enforcement, and cultural change to protect women’s rights in Bangladesh—both in public life and within the home.