Women in Bangladesh are now living in a fearful time as sexual harassment of women are on the rise, activist working for women's rights said at a rally in Dhaka on Sunday.
They cited some recent incidents such as the rape of a student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College by a teacher in Dhaka, gang rape of a girl of a national minority community in Rajshahi and the hanging of the body naked after killing the girl, caning of a woman in village arbitration in Rangpur as the incidents creating such a situation.
The activists under the banner of Sama Adhikar Amader Nyunatama Dabi held the rally in front of the National Press Club in the morning and then submitted a memorandum to the home minister demanding effective steps against sexual harassment of women.
The convener of the platform, Jahangirnagar University teacher Nasim Akhter Hossain, presided over the programme, conducted by Samajtantrik Mahila Forum's organising secretary Shampa Basu.
Writer and journalist Rahnuma Ahmed, Samajtantrik Mahila Forum president Rowshan Ara Rusho, Biplabi Nari Sanghati coordinator Shyamali Shil, Shramajibi Nari Maitree president Bahni Shikha Jamali and Arup Rahi of Sangskriti Mancha also spoke
A delegation of seven members submitted the memorandum to the home minister after the police had stopped a march towards the home minister after the rally.
In the memorandum, they demanded expeditious trial of all incidents of sexual harassment and repression against women, punishment of people responsible for sexual harassment, end to government campaign against sexual harassment, implementation of policy against sexual harassment in all institutions and workplaces, keeping law enforces out of political influence to ensure security of women and change in the patriarchal attitude of the law enforces in the interest of proper trial of the cases, and impartial and accountable trial of such incidents.
Source : New Age
