BNP's standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the abuse of women and children is increasing at an alarming rate in the country. He stressed that the government must take strict action to curb this issue; otherwise, the country's image will be tarnished.
He made these statements as the chief guest at an event organized by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at the TSC ground of Dhaka University on Saturday, marking International Women's Day.
Salahuddin said: “The BNP has officially protested the incidents, and personally, I am also protesting.”
Salahuddin Ahmed also held the past fascist government responsible for the rise in violence against women, citing the culture of impunity prevalent during that period. He further said: “It is important to investigate whether the ruling Awami fascism has a role in creating the country's recent unstable environment.”
He added: “Women have played an important and honourable role in all the movements, including at Dhaka University. They also had a leading role in the July movement, and therefore, ensuring women's empowerment in all fields, including the parliamentary system, is crucial.”
He also said: “The initiatives taken by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman for the development of women, children, and youth society, both institutional and constitutional, has significantly advanced the nation.”
On the occasion of International Women's Day, various activities were organized, including a tribute to the fighting women of different sectors and the martyrs and protesters of the July movement, with book fairs, stalls for women entrepreneurs, and discussion sessions. The event was officially inaugurated by BNP standing committee member Selima Rahman.
Also present were Dhaka University’s Pro-VC Saima Haque Bidisha, Professor Tajmeri S Islam, and others.
BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman said that female students had a significant role in the July revolution but were not given the recognition they deserved.
She highlighted the continued abuse of women across all sectors, questioning the government's actions regarding mob justice and demanded a clear explanation from the government on the matter.
Selima Rahman reiterated that the BNP has always been a women-friendly party and that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia took various initiatives for women. She called for greater participation of women in direct elections.
Khadijatul Kobra, a student of Jagannath University, who was imprisoned for 15 months under the Digital Security Act during the previous government, also expressed her views saying: “Sheikh Hasina could not tolerate differing opinions, and after participating in a talk show, I was imprisoned without trial.”
She added: “Women have never been safe and continue to face danger. I particularly want to mention the lack of decisive action against the perpetrators of the brutal assault on the young girl from Magura, which remains deeply concerning.”
During the event, books, the Quran, and prayer mats were presented by the Chhatra Dal to the families of the martyrs of the July people's uprising and Khadijatul Kobra.