Female athletes outraged, scared over recent crimes

The number of inhumane activities in the country is increasing day by day. Rape and violence against women have become daily affairs. People from all walks of life have started to become vocal against these heinous wrongdoings.

People reckon that it is not the time to remain silent. People throughout the country have been protesting. Human chains have been held.

Cricketers like Mashrafe Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim have also joined the protest. Female athletes have been doing so too. Three-star female athletes expressed their anxiety to The Business Standard (TBS) concerning these incidents happening in the country.

Salma Khatun (Bangladesh national women's team cricketer)

I turn speechless whenever I think of that. It's really shameful and saddening. As a woman, I cannot tolerate this kind of violence against women. Those who are doing this must be given exemplary punishment.

Now everyone is protesting. But it should sustain. In our country, the protests slow down after a few days and everyone seems to forget what happened. But we shouldn't let this happen. The convicts must be given punishment immediately. If the government can ensure that, I hope violence against women will decrease. The convicts in most cases get away or given very little punishment. I just wonder if the people who let them go care for their mothers and sisters.

Not only me but also the other women in the country always feel insecure. That's why a strict law needs to be formed in order to punish the rapists instantly.

Mabia Akter (Gold medalist in weightlifting in the Asian Games) 

It's difficult to tolerate, as a woman, what is happening to women in the country. There is no safety. Ensuring equal rights to men and women are always talked about. But right now women are suffering from insecurity.

We constitute society, so we are responsible for these. A change in mindset is all the society needs.

There are laws to prevent eve-teasing and acid attacks. These have decreased remarkably in the country. If there was a strict law to prevent rape, it would've been decreased. Now the rapists are getting away despite committing such heinous crimes. It needs to be prevented by forming a strict law.

We have to, at least, protest from respective positions. We cannot remain silent. The situation is getting out of hand. 38 women molested in 26 days- it's very depressing. 

Sabina Khatun (Bangladesh national football team captain)

What is happening in the country is extremely sorrowful. It cannot get any worse. As a woman, I cannot see another woman falling a victim to such violence.

We, women, are really anxious, especially who work outdoors. It is not sure whether they will return home safely. Those who are doing these needs to be punished instantly.

If the convicts are given the highest punishment, rape and violence against women will reduce. We have the law, but there is a lack of implementation. The rapists must not get away committing such crimes.

Netizens are protesting, but still, we see news of rape and violence. People have come out to protest. But giving the convicts an exemplary punishment is what we need right now.