'Women and girls musn't live in fear': A never-ending crusade calling for rights, action, accountability
On the occasion of International Women's Day 2025, under the theme of "Accelerate Action", the calls for bringing an end to women's oppression grow louder
Have you been experiencing an unsettling feeling of being watched, observed and judged when you're walking in the streets going about your day-to-day life?
You may second guess your choice of outfit, wonder if your scarf can be placed differently, and even lower your gaze to avoid eye contact.
Why must a woman live in a constant loop of insecurity, so much so that she might even avoid walking in the streets or rush to get home on the day's end to avoid falling prey to an incident which might scar her for life?
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Such is not a state of unrest creeping our minds just on the present day. We have long been on the receiving end of inappropriate approaches, attacks and even fallen victim to predatorial and heinous acts.
Not just one, or few, but many, and in fact, all women at home and abroad have been raising their voice, calling for an end to this oppression. So to reaffirm this call, young voices, comprising four women and two men, have spoken out about these rising concerns and collectively put forth their stance – action to ensure safety and security of all women and girls.
Rameesa Rashid Megh, a Class-10 student from Shahajpath High School, expressed her feeling of insecurity in daily life amid perpetual reports of women and children's oppression.
As a girl of this generation, it saddens me to see how we aren't even safe in our own country. As a student, I have to commute daily for school and tuition classes. I can often feel eyes on me as if someone is waiting to approach me. Given the country's current state, I wonder if there is any other concern more important than bringing justice for perpetual cases of rape, harassment and abuse. I read about incidents of rape, such as that of a 3-year-old children or even pregnant women. But I wonder, where is justice? I used to think I could rely on people for help, but we can barely ensure our own safety. These news reports breaking out daily are scaring me to the point where I can't even go out alone in the streets. What has become of our country?
Sanjida Hossain, 22, from Viqarunnisa School, shared her perspective on the strength of women, while urging all to show admiration and respect to their resilience.
A woman can do anything if she sets her mind to it. I know a girl who lost her father at a young age. Later, she took on the responsibility of her entire family. A few years later, she lost her mother too. Despite everything, she stood strong for her younger siblings, fighting every day to keep her family together and herself afloat. She struggled alone — from her education to every other aspect of life. She sacrificed herself for her family. But today, she has reached a place where she can stand tall. She has seen and learned a lot, endured bullying, and faced hardships, but step by step, she has rebuilt herself. A woman can take care of her family. She can take care of herself. Yet, even today, women have to endure hurtful words, even from her own people. On the streets, they face harassment. Why does it have to be this way? In my perspective, difficult circumstances do not last forever. When someone rises above hardship, society often refuses to accept their growth. People change. A woman becomes a mother, and through her comes a new life. That is the extent to which a woman contributes to the world. And yet, she may face judgment and criticism on things as petty as her attire. Even her safety becomes compromised in various ways. Women can't even walk freely without being judged or harassed. It is high time to call upon all to respect women. All women are fighters.
Sadia Hossain, a student of Stamford University Bangladesh, stresses that a lack of safety is not just a woman's issue, it affects every single person regardless of gender.
Incidents of harassment of young girls in streets have been a long standing issue. We read news reports, witness it and at times, even experience it ourselves. We have actual, undeniable proof of wrongdoings going on right in front of us. That's why everyone must raise their voice about women's safety and take action as a unit. Ensuring women's safety requires awareness, accountability and a collective effort from society. Women should be able to live freely without fear of harassment or violence, but the reality is stark.
To create a safer environment, it is important to educate both men and women about respect, boundaries and consent from an early age. Strong laws must be enforced, and authorities should take immediate action against offenders instead of ignoring such incidents. Public spaces need to be made safer with proper lighting, surveillance, and strict monitoring. Women should be encouraged to speak up without fear of judgment, and support systems like helplines, legal aid, and counselling should be easily accessible. More than anything, society needs to stop blaming the victims and start holding perpetrators accountable. The responsibility of ensuring women's safety does not lie with women alone — it is a duty that every individual must take seriously to create a world where women can feel secure and empowered.
Nusrat Jahan Chowdhury, 32, a teacher currently living in the US, urged all to do more than just post messages of empowerment on this occasion, and press forth the demand for real change.
It is impossible to ignore the shadows that still linger over women's security in Bangladesh—especially in public spaces. Growing up in Bangladesh, I witnessed firsthand the contrasting society that is both warm and hostile at the same time. On one hand, the people are kind, generous, and deeply rooted in familial values. On the other hand, there is also an undertone of patriarchal control that manifests as harassment, policing of women's behavior, and in the worst cases, violence and rape. Women in Bangladesh are victims of constant scrutiny. Insecurity is not always caused by criminals or wrongdoers; sometimes,ordinary men or women who feel entitled to tell women how they should dress, talk, walk, and act.
The truth is, it was never about the clothes. It was about entitlement. The entitlement that some men feel to a woman's body, to her movement, to her very existence in public spaces. And public transport? That was an entirely different battlefield. If women could get pregnant from being groped, I wouldn't be able to keep track of the number of children I'd bear! Women who dare to resist, to push back, or even to exist outside societal expectations, are often met with violence. Despite the grim reality, people in Bangladesh and around the world have shown incredible resilience. They continue to break barriers in politics, education, entrepreneurship, and activism. The July 2024 Revolution is evidence to that. Legal reforms are happening, but laws alone are not enough. Cultural shifts take time, but they are necessary.
Md Shah Fatmi, 22, student of PIE International Education, underlined men's role in tackling the discrimination and oppression of women.
It is our most important duty to support the women around us. Our mothers and sisters are our guiding light. I've always felt safe around women. Even renowned artists have always taught us for years regarding women's freedom and created awareness for violence against women. Not just the women in my family, women all around the world are warriors. If we address inequality and discrimination, we can see how we often give so much credit to the men but we fail to recognise a woman's contribution to their success. It's high time that we take a step back, gain perspective and educate the young boys of Bangladesh that women are divine and must be regarded with the utmost respect.
Aditta Saha Niloy, 29, a journalist, shared his perspective on how even in daylight, women face nightmares.
"I needed to buy a few things for the house, but now I'm scared to go out alone. The way things are going in our country, women now live in trauma, fearing something terrible might happen at any moment, even stepping outside in broad daylight feels unsafe." These words from my wife reflect a disturbing reality in Bangladesh — women are no longer safe, even under the open sky. Gone are the days when daylight provided a sense of security. Today, the streets, marketplaces, and public transport have become spaces of fear, where harassment, abuse, and violence lurk at every corner. Traditionally, night was considered the time of danger, a time when women were advised to stay indoors. But now, even the brightness of day offers no refuge. Reports of women facing verbal abuse, unwanted advances, and physical assault in broad daylight have skyrocketed. Young girls going to school, women commuting to work, or even mothers shopping for household essentials are constantly at risk. This growing crisis is not just about isolated incidents—it is a reflection of a society where perpetrators act without fear of consequences. Public spaces that should belong to everyone have turned into nightmares for women, forcing them to think twice before stepping outside.
Bangladesh has witnessed an alarming rise in gender-based violence. Eve-teasing, stalking, and sexual harassment have become routine experiences for women, often escalating into brutal crimes like rape and murder. The psychological toll is immense—many women develop anxiety, depression, and trauma from simply navigating their daily lives.
Instead of addressing the root cause—societal attitudes and legal loopholes—women are told to modify their behavior, avoid certain places, and always be accompanied by a male guardian.This culture of silence and fear is unacceptable. Women deserve to live freely without the constant worry of being harassed or attacked. Safety should not be a privilege; it should be a basic right. Victims are often met with blame instead of justice. Society questions their clothing, their movements, or why they were out alone, while perpetrators continue to walk free. This culture of impunity has emboldened criminals, making broad daylight just as dangerous as the darkest hours of the night. Daylight should symbolise freedom, not fear. Women have the right to walk the streets, travel to work, and live their lives without constantly looking over their shoulders.
The time to act is now. A world where women can walk freely—without fear, without restrictions—is not an impossible dream. It is a necessity. This International Women's Day, let us move beyond words and take real steps toward creating a safer, more just society for women. Fear should not define their lives; freedom should. If we do not stand up against this growing crisis, we will be complicit in allowing daylight to become a nightmare for the women of Bangladesh.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
