Talking about patriarchy and how it does both men and women disservice, and bringing up issues of gender, are all considered attacks on our traditions and our culture.
Why cause trouble? Why attack the system that gives men and boys the lead, prioritises their judgment and decision-making, when we know their own decency and respect for their own mothers and daughters will ensure women’s interests are always looked after?
The truth is that Bangladesh is – despite the strong developmental progress made in the past decades – still not able to address the rights of women, both in public and private spheres. We still desperately need dramatic changes in social customs which currently isolate a woman from her right to protection, freedom and decision-making. As a nation we must acknowledge the gross disservice done to half our people, and realise that if we do not act for justice, we will never move forward together.
According to data provided by the Bangladesh Police Division, over 200,862 cases of women being subjected to violence were reported during 2002-2013. This included acid attacks, kidnapping, rape, murder, trafficking, killing and torture for dowry, among other forms of violations afflicted towards women. However, there are no published reports on how many of these cases have gone to court, let alone seen a verdict.
There is overwhelming evidence that most instances of violence against women in Bangladesh are not reported to the police or filed in a court. In the majority of these cases, despite years of legal battles, the perpetrator remains untouched by the rule of law and is not brought to justice. There are too many stories that have become part of the statistics; countless stories of aggression and suffering that are quickly forgotten.
One Billion Rising for Justice, Bangladesh, has put forward three cases that exemplify the continued culture of impunity, and tolerance of violence against women across communities of our country.
It is time to RISE for justice.