Don't stay silent, speak up against sexual harassment in public transport: Moinuddin

Sheikh Moinuddin, special assistant to the chief adviser on road transport, has urged citizens not to remain silent but to speak out against sexual harassment in public transport.

Speaking at the launch of the "Hold The Bar, Not Her Space" campaign in Dhaka on Thursday (24 April), he emphasised that ensuring a harassment-free environment in public transport is a shared social responsibility, reads a press release.

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), in collaboration with Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) and UN Women Bangladesh, with support from the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh, officially launched the "Hold The Bar, Not Her Space" campaign.

Moinuddin reaffirmed the interim government's commitment to gender equality across all sectors and pledged ongoing support for inclusive mobility. 

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."

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."

Gitanjali Singh, representative of UN Women Bangladesh, said, "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," she said.

Neelima Akhter, executive director of DTCA, who presided over the event, 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."

Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, said, " If women feel unsafe in public transport, it's a form of discrimination—because it prevents them from reaching their destinations safely."

Prior to the event, over 160 transport workers from Dhaka Chaka, Nagar Paribahan, BRTC, and Hanif Paribahan received training under the campaign from 16 to 20 March.