Breaking the silence: Ensuring safety and justice for women

Although laws exist to protect women, their enforcement is often inconsistent and weak. Photo: TBS

As we observe International Women's Day (IWD) 2025, we are confronted with a stark reality: Despite considerable strides made towards gender equality, women around the world continue to face violence, harassment and insecurity. 

The recent protests, rallies and human chains across educational institutions in Bangladesh are a clear call to action, demanding justice for the victims of rape, gender-based violence and other crimes. 

Women and children should be able to live free from fear, yet the persistence of abuse and assault highlights the systemic failures that require immediate attention.

Women's safety at risk

Women, who have long been champions of justice movements for equality and rights, now find themselves vulnerable in the very spaces that should offer protection. 

The paradox is painful: Those who once stood as symbols of strength and resilience are now fighting a daily battle for their own safety. Their participation in national and global movements for equity is overshadowed by the ever-present threat of violence. 

Public and private spaces — once considered sanctuaries — have become arenas of danger for women.

The failure of states to provide basic security has led to horrifying incidents across societies. National monuments, once symbols of heritage and pride, have become sites of terror, with young girls assaulted in broad daylight. 

The sanctity of homes and workplaces, places where safety should be guaranteed, is shattered when women face violence from those they trust — those who should protect them. 

Public transportation, once a mere mode of commute, has become a battleground where women endure groping, verbal abuse and more, often with bystanders remaining passive, further emboldening perpetrators.

This culture of impunity, where perpetrators are rarely held accountable, perpetuates the cycle of violence. Fear of retaliation, compounded by weak law enforcement, forces women to live in a perpetual state of anxiety. 

The scale of this crisis is not confined to any one country or culture; it is a global issue that transcends borders. From the bustling streets of major cities to rural corners of the world, the threat to women remains omnipresent, casting a long shadow over every woman's freedom.

This is no longer just a local crisis — it is a worldwide concern that demands collective action. Governments must move beyond lip service to women's rights and security, implementing real, enforceable measures. 

The struggle for women's safety is not a fight for women alone but one that requires the concerted effort of all. It is time to recognise that true gender equality means ensuring that no woman lives in fear of violence. 

Women should not be forced to live in constant fear of their bodies and dignity, and this International Women's Day serves as a call to act swiftly to ensure that the world becomes a safer place for every woman.

Why do these crimes continue?

The continued rise in violence against women is not simply a result of isolated incidents but a consequence of deep-seated societal, structural and institutional failures. 

At the heart of this issue is a culture of impunity — a situation where perpetrators act with little fear of consequences, which in turn emboldens others. Legal and justice systems that should be safeguards for the vulnerable often fail to protect survivors, leaving them to navigate a system fraught with obstacles, stigma and institutional neglect.

Although laws exist to protect women, their enforcement is often inconsistent and weak. In many cases, perpetrators remain free due to loopholes in legal frameworks, corruption or inefficiency within law enforcement agencies. 

The slow pace of legal proceedings and bureaucratic delays discourage many survivors from pursuing justice, subjecting them to prolonged trauma. The judicial process becomes an ordeal — one marked by intimidation, victim-blaming and systemic neglect.

Societal attitudes also play a pivotal role in perpetuating violence against women. Many communities continue to normalise or downplay gender-based violence, embedding discriminatory norms that silence survivors and protect offenders. 

Victim-blaming is widespread, with women often being scrutinised for their behaviour, clothing or where they were at the time of the crime, rather than holding perpetrators accountable. This mindset not only discourages women from reporting abuse but creates an environment where offenders feel emboldened to commit such acts without fear of retribution.

Institutional indifference further deepens the crisis. Law enforcement agencies, instead of being sources of protection, sometimes dismiss cases, treating them as 'private matters' or 'misunderstandings.' Many survivors are discouraged from seeking help due to the lack of support from police officers, legal officials or the community at large. Legal systems that are supposed to provide justice often fail to do so due to inadequate resources, legal loopholes and slow judicial processes.

Additionally, inadequate victim support services leave survivors without proper care, whether it be legal, medical or psychological. Marginalised women, in particular, lack access to safe shelters, medical services or legal aid, making it harder for them to escape violent situations or seek justice. The absence of comprehensive victim protection systems further deters women from speaking out, as they fear retaliation or further harm.

Moreover, a lack of strong preventative measures exacerbates the problem. Education on gender equality, consent and respect is still insufficient in many parts of the world, leaving harmful ideologies to persist. 

Efforts to change attitudes towards women and gender-based violence are often met with resistance, particularly in patriarchal cultures, where entrenched power structures resist reform. Until these deep-rooted cultural biases are addressed, the cycle of violence will persist.

Beyond punishment: The need for cultural and social change

While the need for stronger legal measures cannot be overstated, it is not the sole solution to ending gender-based violence. True change requires a shift in societal attitudes and values. Education systems must prioritise teaching respect, consent, and gender equality from an early age. 

Awareness campaigns must challenge harmful stereotypes that perpetuate gender discrimination and violence. Media, religious institutions and community leaders must play active roles in reshaping societal norms to ensure that women are respected, valued and protected.

Gender-based violence is not only a women's issue; it requires the active involvement of men and boys. Men must challenge toxic masculinity, speak out against harassment and stand in solidarity with the fight for gender justice. 

Silence and complacency are not neutral — they are complicit. Communities as a whole must take responsibility for creating safe spaces and supporting survivors.

Turning advocacy into impact

On this International Women's Day, let us move beyond symbolic gestures and commit to concrete actions. Governments must prioritise legal reforms, strengthen law enforcement and ensure swift justice for survivors. Schools and universities must create safe, inclusive environments where young people are taught about equality, respect and consent. Society at large must actively dismantle the structures that enable violence and discrimination.

We cannot afford to wait for change. The time to act is now. Accelerating action for gender equality means focusing on what can be done immediately—strengthening laws, ensuring swift justice, and tackling the societal attitudes that enable violence. If we act together, we can make the world safer for women, ensuring that no space, no place and no moment is unsafe. Let us commit to accelerating action, making gender equality a reality, not a distant dream. Together, we can build a world where every woman can live free from fear, with dignity, respect and security.

Sketch: TBS

Sumit Banik is a public health activist and trainer. He can be reached at sumitbd.writer@gmail.com 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard