CA Yunus's vision of an equitable Bangladesh will succeed: Special Assistant Moinuddin

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's vision of building a just and equitable society will succeed, said Special Assistant to the CA on Road Transport and Bridges Sheikh Moinuddin today (24 April).

Moinuddin made the remark at the inauguration of a public awareness campaign held at the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) premises, aimed at ensuring safe and harassment-free public transport for women.

"Dr Muhammad Yunus has a vision for a rights-based and equitable Bangladesh. Hopefully we will succeed. But this journey requires everyone's support," the special assistant said.

He added, "Preventing sexual harassment in public transport is a shared responsibility. Too often, we remain silent even when we witness harassment. But silence doesn't solve the problem—we must speak out. Men must also realise that women deserve equal rights and respect in society."

The awareness campaign titled "Hold the Bar, Not Her Space" was officially launched to promote safer and more respectful public transport for women, with support from Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), UN Women Bangladesh, and the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh.

Speaking as a special guest, Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks said, "This campaign is a call to action for every commuter, every driver, every conductor, every policymaker. It is a call to build a culture where harassment is not accepted, and where women and girls feel not just permitted—but welcomed—in every public space."

Geetanjali Singh, country representative of UN Women Bangladesh, stated, "This campaign is rooted in a simple yet powerful truth: women and girls have the right to move freely, safely, and confidently—anywhere, anytime. Whether it is a metro in Dhaka, a bus, or any other form of transport across the country—their space is their space. A gender-equal world is within reach if we choose it. Let us ensure this campaign isn't just seen, but felt in action, in prevention, and in protection."

Presiding over the event, Neelima Akhter, executive director of DTCA, said, 'We have made every effort to make this campaign both visible and effective so that the message of preventing violence against women reaches the general public. I believe the training sessions for BRTC, Dhaka Chaka, and Nagar Paribahan workers have already triggered a significant shift in mindset.'

She also highlighted the need for enhanced security infrastructure to sustain a women-friendly public transport system.

"We still face shortages in essential equipment like security tools and CCTV cameras. We need a proper system to ensure that any act of harassment can be addressed swiftly under the law. Moreover, bus stops must be better lit, and public awareness campaigns are vital to foster the necessary social change."

Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, in her welcome speech, said, 'The current government came to power through a commitment to eliminating discrimination, including gender-based disparities. If women feel unsafe in public transport, it's a form of discrimination—because it prevents them from reaching their destinations safely.'

She added, 'Regardless of profession or attire, no woman should be subjected to indecent behavior. Such actions are not only unacceptable but must also be treated as punishable offenses. A zero-tolerance policy toward harassment is essential.'

Prior to the event, over 160 transport workers from Dhaka Chaka, Nagar Paribahan, BRTC, and Hanif Paribahan received training under the "Hold the Bar, Not Her Space" campaign from 16-20 March.

The training aimed to build awareness and promote gender-sensitive public transport.

At the event, Sheikh Moinuddin handed over certificates to the trained transport workers.