ActionAid Bangladesh has launched the 16-day Activism campaign to end gender-based violence, calling for safe cities for women and girls. As part of the global observance, a day-long program was organized on Wednesday at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka under the theme "Safe City, Fearless Women."
The program opened with a live outdoor performance and installation series titled "Stories of Courage" in the open courtyard of Shilpakala Academy, highlighting women’s experiences of courage and resilience.
This was followed by an indoor theatrical production, "Echoes of Her Life," at the Chitrashala Auditorium. The play depicted real-life experiences of harassment and insecurity faced by women in public transport, public spaces, and service institutions, leaving a strong impact on the audience.
Morium Neesa, lead of the Women’s Rights and Gender Equity Team at ActionAid Bangladesh, presented the situation of women’s safety in online and offline spaces in the city.
During the interactive discussion held between performances, speakers emphasized the need for strict enforcement of laws, reforms in gender-sensitive urban planning, and improvements in social values to reduce violence against women. They highlighted the importance of changing patriarchal mindsets and integrating awareness into the education curriculum as preventive measures. Speakers also reaffirmed commitments to ensuring women-friendly public spaces and transport through gender-sensitive urban planning and stressed the need for immediate legal action in response to complaints of harassment. They noted that collective efforts by the administration, policymakers, and citizens are essential to ensure safe cities for women.
Referring to findings from ActionAid Bangladesh’s Safe City Campaign research, Country Director Farah Kabir said: “Our research shows that in 2021 and 2022, online violence against women stood at 63%. As a result, 42% of women reduced their online presence. In addition, 63% of women move outside with fear or anxiety, and 22% face harassment in public transport. These findings prove that women are not fully safe in either online or offline spaces.” She added: “Violence continues because of tolerance and lack of accountability.” She called on all, irrespective of gender, to work together against violence.
Professor Dr Tania Haque of the University of Dhaka identified cultural violence and its acceptance in society as reasons behind the rise in violence. She said urban communities must not remain silent witnesses and must speak out against harassment.
Dr Prakash Kanti Chowdhury, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, said: “Violence will not decrease unless men and boys are engaged as allies through positive transformation. Government and civil society must priorities preventive action.”
Meanwhile, SM Shafiqur Rahman, Chief Urban Planner of Dhaka North City Corporation, reaffirmed the commitment to incorporating gender-sensitive planning to ensure women’s safety in city design. Deputy Police Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Mosammat Farhana Yasmin, urged citizens to report incidents promptly and said long-term state-level planning, more women police officers, and specialized training are essential to support women who face violence.
Speaking in the discussion, Sharmin Islam, Gender Team Lead at UNDP, urged the government to strengthen CCTV surveillance in public spaces and increase the gender budget. She said: “Violence is rising because of a culture of impunity, so incorporating gender sensitivity into the mainstream curriculum is crucial as a preventive measure.”
The inaugural ceremony was also attended by filmmaker Fakhrul Arefeen Khan, Jasmine Ara, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, along with government policymakers, urban planners, civil society representatives, and other guests.
The 16-day campaign is part of ActionAid Bangladesh’s Safe City Campaign. Special initiatives will be undertaken across different cities at the local level from Tuesday to 10 December to help build a sustained movement against violence.
