International Women's Day 2025: A call for justice, equality and action

On 7 March 2025, in celebration of "International Women's Day", the International Women's Day Committee organised a special program at the National Press Club.

The primary objective of this program is to raise awareness about women's rights, empowerment, and gender equality. 

The event commenced with a welcome speech from Tamannah Khan, representative of Naripokkho and Coordinator of the International Women's Day Committee. A declaration paper, highlighting 11 key demands for gender justice and women's rights, was presented by Mahmuda Begum, Founder and Executive Director of Shobujer Ovijan Foundation.

During the Q&A session with the press, key speakers addressed urgent issues affecting women and marginalized groups. Tasaffy Hossain, managing director of Bonhishikha, emphasised the need for accountability at both the state and societal levels to drive real change.

Maheen Sultan, senior fellow of Practice and head of Gender and Social Development Cluster, highlighted that while many legal frameworks exist, better implementation and necessary reforms are crucial.

In the current context of Bangladesh, while women's empowerment and rights are frequently discussed in official documents and speeches, the reality tells a different story - violence against women continues to rise. The vision of a just and equitable Bangladesh that we aspired to see after July 2024 has failed to ensure our security, protection, and human rights. 

In 2024 alone, 2,525 women and girls fell victim to gender-based violence. In just January and February of this year (2025), 394 incidents of violence have been reported. Among these, 97 women and girls were raped, including 31 cases of gang rape. 

In January, 49 individuals, including 11 girls, were murdered due to sexual violence, dowry-related conflicts, and other reasons. In February, out of 189 reported victims of violence, 10 suffered sexual assault, including six girls. 

Additionally, 15 women were subjected to physical torture. There were three reported cases of domestic worker abuse, with two domestic workers being murdered. These figures only represent cases documented in news reports and official records. 

Beyond these statistics, countless women continue to suffer various forms of violence, both inside and outside their homes, many of which go unreported and unheard. (Source: Media Reports & Bangladesh Mahila Parishad)

In recent weeks, several tragic incidents have underscored the persistent crisis of gender-based violence in Bangladesh: In a Dhaka slum, a 13 years old girl died due to complications from childbirth. She had been married off at just 12 years old.  

In Gaibandha, another 13 years old girl was raped by underage boys. Shockingly, local political leaders, through an arbitration, denied her both justice and medical care. In Gazipur, a female garment worker mysteriously fell from a factory rooftop and lost her life. Women have been attacked by a large mob for smoking at tea stalls. Sexual assaults and rapes are frequently occurring, while muggings, robberies, and burglaries are also rampant all over the country. These incidents are not isolated; they reflect a broader pattern of increasing violence against women, which demands urgent attention and action. 

In addition to rising cases of rape and domestic abuse, mob violence, public harassment, and lynchings have become increasingly common. Indigenous women face ethnic and gender-based violence, while gender-diverse individuals are being subjected to heightened attacks and threats. 

Women from marginalised groups, including domestic workers, garment workers, tea workers, migrant women workers, Dalit and Harijan women, and sex workers - are continuously oppressed. Even women's clothing choices and freedom of movement are being targeted by fundamentalist groups using the excuse of religious culture, simply because they are women. Despite these alarming realities, the interim government refuses to acknowledge this as a national crisis, instead claiming that crime rates have not increased. 

Such dismissive rhetoric empowers perpetrators, creating an environment of impunity. It is a grave injustice to ignore that the fight for an equitable Bangladesh was never about maintaining the status quo - it was about dismantling systemic oppression and ensuring true justice and equality.

The role of women in the July uprising is undeniable, just as it is indisputable that women suffer the most violence during and after times of crisis. However, instead of receiving the recognition they deserve, women are having to protest daily - not only for their rights but also against escalating violence. In the face of rising extremism and gender-based violence, we have come together to unite our voices and demand action. It is time to confront these injustices and ensure that women's contributions and struggles are acknowledged, respected, and safeguarded.

To guarantee women's complete participation in decision-making and the freedom to express independent opinions, we demand the following: 

1. Equal Representation & Recognition Women must have equal and effective participation in all government and non-government institutions, official or rights-based committees, political parties, and religious organisations. The women leaders of the July uprising must receive state recognition for their contributions. 
2. Immediate action needs to be ensured to curb mob violence and extremist narratives against women. Urgent and effective measures must be taken to end communal and mob violence against women, girls, indigenous people, persons with disabilities, religious minorities, and gender-diverse individuals. 
3. Legal Reforms for Women's Protection Laws addressing rape, dowry, sexual harassment, and gender-based violence must be revised and strengthened, considering women's diverse lived experiences, best interests, and equal rights.
4. Ensure the rights and protection of marginalized groups, like women workers, indigenous women, religious minorities, persons with disabilities, domestic workers, garment workers, informal sector employees, and migrant women workers. These demands are essential steps toward achieving justice, equality, and safety for all women and marginalized communities.
5. Immediate and effective actions must be taken to end ethnic and gender-based violence against Indigenous women, along with public awareness campaigns on this issue. 
6. Public transport, education, healthcare, employment, and the judicial system must be fully accessible to women with disabilities. Special assistance and protection mechanisms must be established to support them.
7. Each district must have Victim Support Centers, that can provide sensitised and supportive assistance for victims, properly trained investigation units, inclusive counselling services, cyber support, and rehabilitation programs to aid survivors of violence. 
8. A strong cyber law must be enacted and enforced to prohibit organised misogynistic activities and hate campaigns on social media and digital platforms. 
9. Adequate compensation and support must be ensured for persons with disabilities, domestic workers, migrant women workers, garment workers, tea plantation labourers, Dalit women, and gender-diverse individuals. 
10. Awareness campaigns on women's rights and legal protection laws and the support systems must be actively promoted. Information must be disseminated at the grassroots level through social media, traditional media, and community outreach.
11. Age-appropriate gender sensitivity training and gender education must be introduced in schools, media, workplaces, and all societal levels to challenge discrimination and promote equality. These measures are crucial in eliminating gender-based violence, ensuring justice, and creating a safer and more inclusive Bangladesh for all women and marginalised communities.

The International Women's Day Committee 2025 members are Women with Disabilities Development Foundation (WDDF), Karmojibi Nari, Shakti Foundation, Light House, ActionAid Bangladesh, Sabujer Abhijan Foundation, Brati, Breaking the Silence, Fulki, Nari Moitree, Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Sachetan Hijra Odhikar Songho, Badabon Songho, Acid Survivors Foundation, Proshika Manobik Unnayan Kendra, SADA, CARE Bangladesh, Save the Children Bangladesh, PDAP, Banjona Foundation, Jibon Gathon Unnayan Songstha, Sex Workers Network, Ulka Nari Songho, Kollyanmoyi Nari Songho, Jiboner Alo, Agni Foundation, Awaaz Foundation, Sompurna, Bohnishikha, Durjoy Nari Songho, Girls Guide Association, Sombhob Foundation Bangladesh, OSHE Foundation, BLAST, Bangladesh Center for Workers' Solidarity, Durbar Network, Possibility, Prantoz Foundation, Obehilito Nari Songho, 40 Up Bangladesh, Coalition for Urban Poor, COAST Foundation, Society for Participatory Education and Development (SPED), Manusher Jonno Foundation, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, Lal Sabuj Society, Ashar Prodeep, Abha, BNSK and Naripokkho.