Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ In recent weeks, Bangladesh has witnessed a wave of protests led by women, demanding justice and an end to the growing incidents of rape and sexual violence across the country. These protests, organized by students and women’s rights activists, have become a powerful symbol of resistance against a pervasive culture of impunity that continues to shield perpetrators of sexual violence. One of the most poignant moments in this movement occurred at Dhaka University, where students held an absentee funeral for an eight-year-old girl who had died after being brutally raped earlier in March. While her funeral was conducted in her hometown of Magura under heavy security, her memory and the injustice of her death were commemorated by a significant gathering of students who raised their voices against sexual violence.
Also read: How Lady Gaga is turning Singapore into a tourism hotspot!
The tragedy of this young girl’s death, which was a stark reminder of the dangers women and children face, has become a rallying point for the protestors. According to reports, the first two months of 2025 saw 298 women and children fall victim to sexual violence. Of these, 98 women, including 44 minors, were subjected to rape. In addition to the rise in sexual violence, mob violence and other forms of harassment have also become alarmingly common in the country. In one such incident at Dhaka University, a female student was harassed for not wearing a headscarf, and for not adhering to the community’s standards of modesty. The police arrested the alleged harasser, but a mob of students, including leaders from various political factions, later forced them to release him.
Also read: New Zealand PM Says India Deserves a Permanent Seat in UNSC!
Another notable incident occurred in Lalmatia, where two women were physically harassed by a group of locals for smoking near a tea shop. The response from Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the Advisor to the Home Department, further exacerbated the situation when he suggested that both men and women should refrain from smoking in public, framing the issue as a violation of the law rather than addressing the harassment of the women. This remark was met with widespread condemnation, with protestors demanding his removal, arguing that such comments deflect attention from the real issue, i.e., gender-based violence. Furthermore, the Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Sheikh Mohammad Sajjad Ali, stirred further controversy when he advised the media to avoid using terms like rape and instead use milder terms, such as sexual harassment, to describe such incidents. He also urged the media not to sensationalize cases of sexual violence, which many view as an attempt to downplay the severity of the issue.
Also read: Bill Gates Backs India’s AI Boom—Will It Transform Healthcare and Agriculture?
These comments from authorities have only fueled public anger and highlighted the deep-rooted administrative apathy toward addressing sexual violence. Protests in Dhaka and other cities have intensified, with women students leading the charge. From midnight torch rallies at Dhaka and Jahangirnagar Universities to protests that have blocked major intersections, these women are demanding justice and accountability. Their chants, echoing from last year’s political upheaval, now call for an end to sexual violence, with slogans like “Tumi ke ami ke? Asiya,” in memory of the eight-year-old girl who became the face of this latest wave of protests. The fight against sexual violence in Bangladesh is not new. For decades, women have been resisting a culture of impunity, which has allowed perpetrators to escape justice.
One of the most notable periods of resistance occurred in the late 1990s, following the discovery of rape squads operating within universities, including powerful student leaders and outsiders who preyed on vulnerable students. Despite the seriousness of these allegations, the accused faced only minor punishments, contributing to the culture of impunity that still prevails. Bangladesh’s history is also marked by brutal sexual violence, particularly during the 1971 Liberation War, when Bengali women were systematically raped by the Pakistan Army and its collaborators. The survivors, known as “Birangona” (brave warriors), are celebrated as national heroines, but the legacy of sexual violence continues to haunt the country. In 2020, public outrage following the brutal assault of a woman led to significant legal reforms, including the introduction of the death penalty for rape. Despite these changes, the country’s legal system has struggled to provide justice for all victims.
The current protests are part of a long-standing tradition of resistance by Bangladeshi women, who continue to fight against sexual violence and a culture that seeks to silence them. The protests have even transcended national borders, with Bangladeshi women expressing solidarity with their counterparts in India, particularly after the brutal rape and murder of a young woman in Kolkata in August 2024. The women of Bangladesh, many of whom were at the forefront of the 2024 political protests that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, continue to challenge the system, demanding not only justice for rape victims but also a society where women are free from violence and discrimination. Their ongoing fight is a testament to their resilience, echoing the call for a world where violence against women is no longer tolerated.
