Samajtantrik Mahila Forum has strongly condemned the controversial 'dress code' announced by Bangladesh Bank and later withdrawn in the face of criticism.
The organization has also demanded punishment for those involved in the incident.
In a joint statement sent to the press on Thursday, Samajtantrik Mahila Forum Central President Engineer Shampa Basu and General Secretary Advocate Dilruba Noori made this demand. In a statement, they said, "Bangladesh Bank is a professional financial institution in the country. Issuing instructions on the dress code for female employees there is not only unreasonable, but also a form of misogyny.
A state institution has interfered with women's rights and freedoms by issuing directives on the length of women's sleeves, what can and cannot be worn. This is not just a 'policy', but a despicable attempt to hinder women's movement in the workplace."
It is also said that violence against women, mob violence, and the statements of the well-wishers are not isolated incidents. Rather, it is a continuous conspiracy to destroy the safe working environment of women. This policy of Bangladesh Bank is also part of that conspiracy. Where state institutions employ mentally healthy and educated manpower, why should they have to create a separate dress code for them? This is a questionable decision for the nation.
The organization demanded immediate punishment of those involved in this incident and said that the women's community should prepare to deal with these evil attempts. Such incidents will not be tolerated anymore.
