In recent years, the conversation around women's rights and safety in Bangladesh has gained significant momentum, especially in the wake of alarming incidents of sexual violence. While societal awareness is crucial, it is not enough for the government to simply acknowledge the problem. To ensure lasting and meaningful change, the government must take concrete action through comprehensive legal frameworks, stringent enforcement, and a firm commitment to protecting women.
Rape and sexual violence are heinous crimes that not only devastate the victims but also ripple through society, eroding trust and creating a climate of fear. Unfortunately, many survivors of sexual violence face systemic barriers that discourage them from reporting the crime. Cultural stigma, fear of retribution, and a lack of support often silence victims, perpetuating a cycle of impunity for perpetrators. For any genuine change to occur, the government must recognize these issues and work relentlessly to dismantle the structures that allow such violence to persist.
One of the first steps is the establishment and enforcement of strict laws that unequivocally protect women and ensure swift justice. The current legal framework, while improved in recent years, remains inadequate in many respects. The delayed trials and lenient sentences for rapists continue to send the message that sexual violence is not treated with the urgency and seriousness it deserves. Strengthening the laws, ensuring the prompt investigation of cases, and imposing harsh penalties for perpetrators is vital in deterring future crimes and offering justice to victims. Equally important is the creation of a supportive environment for victims, where they are treated with respect, dignity, and care. This means making sure that survivors of rape and sexual assault have access to medical and psychological support and ensuring that the justice system is compassionate rather than re-victimizing. Moreover, the government must work to reduce the cultural stigma surrounding sexual violence, fostering an environment where victims are encouraged to come forward and where their voices are heard and respected. Beyond legal reforms, the government must lead a broad societal shift by focusing on prevention. This involves addressing the root causes of sexual violence, which are often embedded in patriarchal attitudes, gender inequality, and a culture of silence. Education is a key tool in this fight-teaching respect for women's rights and gender equality in schools, communities, and media can go a long way in changing attitudes and behaviors. At the same time, law enforcement agencies must undergo rigorous training to handle cases of sexual violence sensitively and effectively.
Lastly, the government must ensure accountability. The implementation of laws must be monitored, and those responsible for negligence in handling cases must be held to account. This creates a deterrent for anyone who may seek to exploit the system for personal or political gain.
The government holds the power to create a society where women can live without fear of violence. It is not just about enforcing laws; it is about creating a cultural and institutional environment that puts women's safety at the forefront. Real, long-lasting change will only occur when the government takes decisive action, backed by a society that stands united in the fight against sexual violence.
If Bangladesh is to move forward as a progressive nation, this issue cannot remain in the shadows. It's time for the government to step up, strengthen the laws, protect its women, and ensure that rapists are swiftly brought to justice. Only then can we truly begin to dismantle the culture of violence and build a society where women's rights are genuinely respected and protected.
The sighs of terror coming from within the four walls are no longer heard today-they have stopped long ago. The question remains: where is the place of safety for women in our society? No longer confined to dark alleyways or dangerous neighborhoods, violence against women has spread like an insidious disease that has no boundaries. Educational institutions, workplaces, public spaces, and even our own homes-women are no longer safe anywhere.
Once upon a time, we were stunned by a shocking incident of rape on a moving train, an atrocity that left us paralyzed with fear. But what was once a rare, incomprehensible act of violence has become an all-too-common occurrence. The borders of safety have long disappeared, and the brutality women face has reached unimaginable levels. The tragic events of February 21, when the nation solemnly paid tribute to the martyrs of our mother tongue, serve as a stark reminder of this harsh reality. On that very day, a fourth-grade girl, merely a child, was raped while innocently picking flowers at the Shaheed Minar. A place meant to honor the sacrifices of those who fought for our language and independence became yet another stage for an unspeakable act of violence. This brutal crime wasn't isolated. It speaks to a much larger issue that has been festering for years. No age group is immune to the threat of violence. Whether it's a young child, a teenager, a housewife, or even an elderly woman, every woman faces the same constant question: Am I safe? The answer, unfortunately, more often than not, is a resounding no.
The vulnerability of women, particularly in public spaces, has become so normalized that we rarely question it. Our collective outrage has become muted over time, as these horrific incidents continue to dominate the headlines with numbing regularity. We hear the stories, we express our outrage, but then, life moves on as if nothing has changed. The pain, trauma, and fear inflicted on the victims is forgotten the moment the next story comes along.
But we cannot allow this crisis to become footnote in the history of our society. We cannot let these crimes against women be reduced to mere statistics or sensationalized headlines that fade from our memory in a week. We must hold ourselves accountable for the systems, attitudes, and policies that continue to allow such violence to thrive. Our institutions must be held responsible for ensuring the safety of women within their walls. Educational institutions, which should be safe havens for young minds, have become breeding grounds for abuse and harassment. Workplaces, where women contribute their time and talent, too often become spaces where fear and exploitation reign. And public spaces, once seen as free for all, have become territories where women constantly face the threat of physical assault. This crisis cannot be swept under the rug. We need stronger laws, better implementation, and a societal shift in how we view violence against women. But, above all, we need to listen. We need to listen to the voices of the survivors who are bravely speaking out, and we need to amplify their voices until they can no longer be ignored.
It is time to stop normalizing the violence. It is time to demand real, lasting change. Only then can we begin to build a society where no woman, regardless of age or circumstance, will ever have to ask herself, Am I safe?
Nowadays, whenever we open a newspaper, flip through television channels, or scroll through social media, the grim reality stares back at us-news of rape. What once shocked and repulsed us has now become an unfortunate part of our daily routine. The frequency of these harrowing stories has become so common that it is no longer just a headline; it has become a part of our collective consciousness. Each time we hear the word "rape," our hearts shudder, and fear grips our minds.
What has become painfully clear is that women are no longer safe anywhere. It doesn't matter whether they are at home, at school, in the workplace, or in public spaces-the threat of violence lurks around every corner. What was once considered a distant fear for many women has now become a daily reality. From the streets to bedrooms, from secluded corners to the very public spaces we inhabit, there seems to be no refuge from the predators who strike without warning.
We often talk about "safe spaces," but for women, these spaces are becoming increasingly rare. The very idea of safety has been shattered, leaving women to question whether any place, any moment, will ever be free from the looming threat of rape. The tragedy lies not just in the act itself, but in the growing normalization of these crimes. It is no longer an isolated incident but rather a widespread crisis that demands our urgent attention.
(To be Continued)
Author: Columnist and Secretary General of Islamic University Alumni Association
