Md. Habibul Haque

`2024` is a name that cannot be erased from the political history of Bangladesh! But in this special year of overthrowing autocracy, we do not have such good results in all areas. In particular, has not stopped women`s right to work, right to movement, equal pay for equal work, divorce and guardianship rights have not yet been met. Women`s child production, domestic work pressure, equal status outside work, above all, equal rights of men and women are not yet fated.

According to a report by Nazneen Akhter (Prothom Alo, November 9, 2024), quoting the Police Headquarters in November last year, a total of 12,769 cases were filed under various sections of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000 in police stations and courts across the country from January to September this year. Half of these cases were filed for rape and attempted rape (4,332 for rape and 1,870 for attempted rape). The reasons cited include torture for dowry (3,208), throwing inflammable substances (47), kidnapping (3,287) and child hostage (25). According to another study, only 1 percent of women who are tortured in Bangladesh go to the police to complain. One of the reasons for not complaining is the delay in the trial, social stigma, family obstacles, etc. For example, the Deutsche Welle report says that the torture and murder at the hands of the husband is much less known. The fact that data is not available does not mean that the rate of violence against women has not decreased in the last few years; rather, it is likely to increase in the future.

As women are now educated and entering the workforce, or becoming aware of their rights and opinions, those who are raising their voices are calling into question the authoritarian celebration of women`s "traditional silent" role. Their freedom is challenging male supremacy, so the fear of `losing power` of men is turning into violence.

In the capitalist system, by controlling the body of women, the owner of capital continues the main system of exploitation of capital by giving birth to new workers cheaply, entrusting the work of old workers to women`s bodies, or making women cheap laborers. As a result, the woman`s body is under the control of the man, she forgets to hear the woman`s own voice. Patriarchy and capitalism combine to see women as a consumable, cheap labor-producing commodity or property, so women cannot raise their own voices, sisters do not wake up. Because they see dignity in chains and possess more rights than poor women, the misogyny of the male world seems to be a punishment for its own fault. Women are not in decision-making, their voices are faint in policy-making, they are not given a place at the determinator`s table, and when they go for masculine pushes to take their place, they are abused as an easily available `prostitute`, or subjected to linguistic or physical sexual abuse.

This is the description of torture; women who are not victims of torture are also victims of terrible discrimination in this country. There is no equal pay for equal work, their names are at the bottom of the list in training, other benefits, in marriage and divorce, in parenting, and everything is in the possession of men. But after the July coup that fell on July 36 (August 5), we entered a new utopia. It is also a fantasy world, because in the name of non-discrimination, women remain untouched. A new weapon should be given against him. Although all kinds of people, including women, different religions and ethnicities, and people of marginalized or non-binary gender identities, have played a strong role in this year`s uprising, we have not seen much celebration of that difference or diversity after July 36. If we look only at the condition of women, then after the movement we saw a subordinate place of women; So that their words or contributions are mentioned in the second class. They are not in the celebration, they are not in decision-making, and they just broke the lock of the hall at night and went out with a procession or ignoring the sticks and tear bullets in the streets, in the front of the procession, rescuing the protesters from the hands of the police or detaining the movement in the DB office. If he comes out, the new, old weapon is pointed at him – character assassination, coercion, new oppression or the old ones to be covered up to allow the oppressor to rehabilitate, etc.

We do not see women among the movement`s coordinators much in public or in ongoing knowledge/theory exploding seminars or reform commissions. Even the advisory council has turned into an age-group boys` club with a few decorative women, the older they get, the more the deprivation of women becomes visible. The politics of `responsibility and compassion` in strong masculine shocks and threats; Rather, it is dividing people by religious, gender, cultural, ethnic or religious differences. The country has become unsafe, especially for women and minorities, after concerted violence against marginalized groups.

But what is the way of salvation?  First of all, we must always speak out against the politics of silencing the voices of women and the marginalized, ensure the presence of marginalized voices in all narratives, and celebrate their successes, achievements and participation.

Secondly, The presence and representation of women and marginalized people must be increased in the leadership, nomination and representation of political parties, social and cultural organizations of the country. The political parties that fail to present their women leadership in front of us in the next one year will not get the support of women voters in the election. Direct elections should be held in women seats; the number of women MPs should be increased gradually. Some change will be possible if women members are elected in parliament in proportion to the population.

Thirdly, Effective steps should be taken to create safe workplaces, schools, roads, public spaces for people of all gender identities, enact laws to deal with any harassment, especially sexual harassment, and speedy hearing and trial of cases already taken. No restrictive provisions of the Digital Security Act and the Cyber Security Act can be kept intact. Women should be protected in the cyber world by forming an independent commission.

Fourthly, Eliminate gender discrimination in wages, status and employment, provide safe working conditions, travel and life security, provide paid maternity leave, and provide parks, playgrounds, museums and children`s daycare centers in workplaces and residential areas.

Fifthly, Equality of family property and inheritance, equal rights and responsibilities in divorce and guardianship and upbringing must be ensured.

Sixthly, Obstacles to women`s decision-making in choosing their own body, life and livelihood must be removed. The concept of equality from childhood should be taught through family and school, child marriage should be stopped and girls dropping out of education should be stopped

Seventhly, why good results in women`s education are not reflected in their achievements and promotions in the workplace; rather we have to work to solve why educated women drop out in the workplace.

Eighthly, Social resistance against all forms of violence against women must be built so that the neighborhood is safe and dignified for women.

Ninthly, the government budget should be allocated separately for women and the government should work to remove various cultural barriers to establishing women`s rights to property and resources (inherited and self-earned). Increasing the accessibility of women in business and increasing their percentage in government jobs is a very important step, without which the dream of building a new Bangladesh will be halved in the next one year.

Finally, no development plan can be made that shrinks the environment and nature, forests and greenery.

Md. Habibul Haque

Lecturer

Department of English

Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology