International Women’s Day will be observed today across the country as elsewhere in the world with the theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” recognising the contribution of women and girls around the world, who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all.
Women and girls experience the greatest impacts of the climate crisis as it amplifies existing gender inequalities and puts women’s lives and livelihoods at risk. Women are playing a vital role in different areas, including politics, judiciary, administration, education, health, armed forces and law enforcing agencies in our country. Different countries and international organisations, including the UN, praised the government for attaching priority to development of the womenfolk. But, they are still being tortured and abandoned while many other meeting the tragic end of their lives because of dowry-related, extra-marital affairs and other issues everyday in our country. Besides, many women mostly young girls and women are also being trafficked out to neighbouring and other foreign countries.
Bangladesh should strive to become
a role model in eradicating
violence against women and children
A recent study by Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association says about 84 per cent women in the country have faced sexual harassment in some form or various forms on the roads, in public transports, at educational institutions, in the workplace and also at home last year. It indicates violence against women in the country is increasing at an alarming rate in every level at preset.
The incidents of rape, torture, trafficking and violence are on the rise as perpetrators were not brought to justice quickly and exemplary punishments were not ensured. And even if women are victims of sexual harassment, they cannot complain for fear of losing their jobs and being socially degraded.
The rate of women education has increased while government has been creating newer employment opportunities for women. Therefore, apart from the government, all stakeholders will have to work relentlessly to eliminate all kinds of discriminatory behaviors and practices to women, prevent violence against them, bring down the child marriage rate to zero, ensure equal wages for men and women in workplaces and facilitate the women entrepreneurs with separate banking and marketing systems.
Bangladesh should strive to become a role model in eradicating violence against women and children. We must change our mindset towards women. We all will have to believe that girls and women are not only the subject of enjoyment rather everyone should treat them as fellow colleague and ally.
