A group of women rights activists, academics, artists and civil society members have expressed concern over a recently issued Bangladesh Betar directive on dress code for news presenters, even though the instruction has since been withdrawn.
In an open letter addressed to Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, they welcomed the decision to cancel the directive issued on May 4, 2026, which had set specific clothing guidelines for female news presenters, including wearing saree or salwar-kameez with dupatta, while discouraging “large bindis” and wearing the dupatta on one side.
The signatories, however, said merely withdrawing the directive was not enough, arguing that the mindset behind such instructions also needs to be critically reviewed. They described the directive as culturally insensitive and contrary to women’s dignity, rights and constitutional values of equality, personal freedom and cultural inclusion.
They also said such restrictions reinforce harmful social norms, discriminatory attitudes and controlling behaviour towards women in workplaces.
The letter further called for accountability for those involved in drafting and issuing the directive and urged authorities to ensure inclusive, respectful and discrimination-free workplace policies in the future.
Although the directive has been withdrawn, the signatories said it should be kept in mind for future consideration and proposed the following recommendations:
- Those officials and staff responsible for formulating and issuing the discriminatory and insensitive directive must be held properly accountable.
- All organizational activities, policies and communications in the future must ensure respectful, non-discriminatory and inclusive practices so that all employees can work with equal dignity and a sense of safety.
- A safe, dignified and discrimination-free professional environment must be ensured for women employees in office premises, and institutional promotion of harmful gender stereotypes and controlling attitudes must be avoided.
The open letter was signed by 53 individuals, including Khushi Kabir; human rights activist, Farah Kabir; country director, ActionAid Bangladesh, Shaheen Anam; human rights activist and executive director, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Mahin Sultan; Nari Pokkho, Rani Yen Yen; indigenous rights activist.