Dhaka, May 4, 2025 — A total of 68 women’s, human rights, and development organizations have jointly condemned the misogynistic propaganda, disrespectful remarks, and barbaric actions targeting women in the wake of recommendations made by the Women’s Reform Commission in Bangladesh . In separate press statements issued on Sunday, the organizations accused Hefazat-e-Islam and other religiously motivated extremist groups of orchestrating and spreading these campaigns. They also expressed astonishment at the government’s silence on the issue.
In a joint statement under the banner of the “Social Resistance Committee,” the 67 organizations denounced the disrespectful, violent, and outrageous behavior shown during a rally by Hefazat-e-Islam on May 3 and at a protest in front of the Raju sculpture at Dhaka University. The statement described these actions as shocking to the entire female population and unrepresentative of a civilized society.
The Social Resistance Committee alleged that Hefazat-e-Islam and similar fundamentalist groups are relentlessly spreading misogynistic and degrading messages through public gatherings and social media platforms. The statement, signed by Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, further pointed out that the demand to abolish the Women’s Commission and its reform proposals is a direct attack on gender equality.
Despite the growing hostility and violence from radical and extremist factions — who represent a threat to half the country’s population — the government has yet to take any action, the committee noted, raising serious questions about its accountability. They emphasized that while everyone has the right to express opinions, demanding the cancellation of a government-formed commission on irrational grounds is unacceptable.
The committee called for the government to reject all unconstitutional demands of Hefazat-e-Islam and take effective steps to build a secular, democratic, and gender-equal state.
Organizations behind the statement include Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), Steps Towards Development, BRAC, Women for Women, CARE Bangladesh, Karmojibi Nari, National Workers Alliance, Concern Worldwide, IED, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association, Nijera Kori, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Dhaka YWCA, Palli Daridro Bimochon Foundation, Oxfam GB, ActionAid Bangladesh, The Hunger Project Bangladesh, AWAJ Foundation, PRIP Trust, ADD Bangladesh, World Vision, Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), Nagorik Uddyog, National Council of Disabled Women, SARI, Baushee, fortnightly Anannya, ACD Rajshahi, Brotee, Nari Moitree, WAVE Foundation, Equity and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra, Nari Udyog Kendra, National Women Workers Alliance, Sammilito Samajik Andolon, Bangladesh Trade Union Centre, National Women’s Alliance, Shakti Foundation, BPW Club, Udichi Shilpigoshthi, Acid Survivors Foundation, Nari Mukti Sangsad, SEBA Women and Child Welfare Centre, DRRA, Amrai Pari, Domestic Violence Prevention Alliance, Bangladesh Indigenous Forum, Soroptimist International Club, Dhaka, BIC, EDA, FPAB, YWCA of Bangladesh, Dalit Women’s Forum, Deepta Foundation for Development, Aparajeyo Bangladesh, BLAST, Turning Point, Center for Men and Masculinities Studies, Save the Children, Ovijaan, Indigenous Women’s Network, Disabled Welfare Society, Nari Oikya, Pollima Mahila Parishad, and Pragrasor.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) issued a separate statement rejecting demands to abolish the Women’s Reform Commission and enact a blasphemy law, calling them irrational. Signed by 23 prominent citizens, the statement accused certain groups of misleading the public under religious pretexts and pressuring the government through fear and intolerance.
The HRFB emphasized that while criticism of the commission or its report is legitimate, calls to abolish the institution or impose blasphemy laws are unjustified. It denounced threats, coercion, and hate speech as unacceptable methods to enforce any ideology and urged the government to clarify its stance on the matter.
Signatories of the HRFB statement include Dr. Hamida Hossain, Advocate Sultana Kamal, Raja Devasish Roy, Advocate Z.I. Khan Panna, Shaheen Anam, Barrister Sara Hossain, Sanjeeb Drong, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Shamsul Huda, and Khushi Kabir, among others.