Dhaka, 25 November 2023: 25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Even though 24 years have passed since the UNGA decided to observe this day in 1999, women in Bangladesh, and the world over, are still not free from various forms of violence. Violence against women is rampant in Bangladesh. Among the kinds of violence women face, are dowry related violence, rape, acid throwing, domestic violence and sexual harassment.
Violence against women in Bangladesh is deeply rooted, due to social inequality, political repression, and a dysfunctional justice mechanism. When it comes to the issue of political violence and the violations perpetrated on dissidents and the opposition, female members of the victims’ families, are also subjected to various forms of harassment and intimidation. Women human rights defenders are also not spared.
An authoritarian regime takes away all rights from everyone, regardless of gender or age. Bangladesh urgently needs a democratic system to end violence against women and where measures are implemented to ensure women’s rights are truly protected and respected.
In solidarity,
The Odhikar Team
