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"I won't let you take my brother; you'll have to go over my dead body!"—I hope we all remember the powerful image of that girl, standing in front of a prison van with nothing but her bare hands, screaming in defiance. (The Business Standard, 2024), it was one of the moments that defined the July Revolution. On the night of July 16, Ruqayyah Hall led the charge by expelling BCL leaders, quickly followed by other female dorms, igniting a wave of similar actions in the male halls. Days later, on July 19, as the BGB fired live bullets at protesters in Bansree and Rampura, countless women, mostly mothers, formed human shields to protect the students. (The Daily Star, 2024).
Nusrat Tabassum, one of six protest coordinators, was detained by the DB without formal charges and tortured mentally and physically. The nature of threats and dangers was also unique for the female protestors. They were constantly in fear of being raped or getting sexually assaulted.
Was the July Revolution all for nothing if women's safety remains ignored?
One of the female protesters at the University of Chittagong quoted that the male faculty members threatened them that if they did not back down, the ‘smart male students’ (Referring to the BCL) were there to take care of them. (The Daily Star, 2024). Yet, despite their courage, just three months later, we wonder if the nation has already forgotten the essential role these women played. Was the July Revolution all for nothing if women's safety remains ignored?
Now before you call me allies of certain parties, history shows that women have always borne the brunt of brutality in Bangladesh’s political turmoil.
18-year-old Anjali Karmakar, a Hindu girl, was expelled from her village for "chatting with a man," and her father was publicly humiliated for failing to control her (Amnesty International, 1994). According to Ain o Salish Kendra, violence against women surged by 247% during Ershad's regime (1982-1990). In just 15 months starting from October 2001, over 200 minority women were reportedly gang-raped by BNP-Jamaat alliance cadres (The Daily Star, 2011). In November 2023 (Awami League regime) alone, 191 women and girls suffered various forms of violence, with 36 rapes and 45 murders reported (The Daily Star, 2023).
The question is, why did we go through all this? Why did we risk our lives? We wanted a Bangladesh that ensures freedom and equal rights for all. We wanted a Bangladesh where cases like Tonu’s unresolved rape case or Kalpana Chakma’s disappearance wouldn't be the norm. As an active part of the movement, I have been hopeful and patient about positive changes. However, it is with great regret that I write this piece; the recent surge in violence against women points to a troubling reality: the Yunus government has sidelined the very issues we fought for.
According to a report by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, violence against women and children surged significantly in September, with reported cases increasing by nearly 27% compared to August. In total, 72 girls under 18 and 114 adult women experienced various forms of violence, up from 51 and 96, respectively, the previous month. The number of gang rape incidents also rose, impacting 11 individuals—five girls and six women—compared to seven cases in August. (The Daily Star, 2024). Is this the ‘Bangladesh 2.0’ we envisioned?
Amid these events, how can we celebrate remittance growth and stock market success when women continue to live in fear?
Despite the nation hailing itself as a ‘dictator-free’ Bangladesh, it is baffling to see women still unsafe. While waiting at a signal, an elderly man aggressively berated a woman for not wearing a scarf, making her fear he might break her car window. She started recording him, after which he spat on her window and left. In mid-September, several women were harassed in Cox's Bazar, with videos going viral. Similar attacks targeted sex workers in Dhaka, and one woman reported being harassed for wearing a tip. (The Daily Star, 2024). Amid these events, how can we celebrate remittance growth and stock market success when women continue to live in fear?
Professor Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Laureate and Chief Adviser, has always championed women’s rights, emphasizing their importance in achieving gender equality. He has said, "If 10 million women can be made entrepreneurs, then it can lead to the overall development of society" (The Economic Times, 2023). He even led Bangladesh to sign the UN treaty on enforced disappearances, recognizing these as human rights violations. Yet, violence against women—another violation of human rights—remains underaddressed. Despite having four powerful women in his interim government, Yunus has failed to prioritize women's safety.
We fought for reforms and anti-discriminatory policies, not for a repeat of history. Why are the ultra-extremist groups getting a free pass to abuse women? Why as a nation are we allowing this massive spread of radicalism?
If we continue down this backward path, Bangladesh risks falling into the clutches of extremism, and everything we fought for will have been in vain.
From 1971 to 2024; from one independence to another, women have continually contributed to national change, yet they have also consistently suffered violence and discrimination. When will the women be safe? Will I ever walk the streets of my own country fearlessly? Is the solution transforming the deep-rooted patriarchy in society, or is it through strict enforcement of laws? The sooner we address these questions, the better. If we continue down this backward path, Bangladesh risks falling into the clutches of extremism, and everything we fought for will have been in vain.
I conclude my 'pessimistic' ramble with a hopeful note: that the government, in which we placed our deepest hopes and trust, will finally deliver the reforms that my comrades and I rightfully deserve.
Anika Tahsin Haque Katha is looking forward to building a career as a development researcher specifically in the gender arena as a student at the University of Chittagong, pursuing a BSS degree in Development Studies. Anika is a development enthusiast. Through her involvement in feminist initiatives, she aims to make a positive impact on society and drive meaningful change.
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