Musfika Laiju
In present-day Bangladesh, women’s safety, freedom, and rights are under increasing threat. Once a country that took pride in its strides toward gender equity, Bangladesh is now witnessing an alarming regression in women’s autonomy and security. This article examines the growing challenges faced by Bangladeshi women, highlighting the urgent need for national and international intervention before the country spirals into an abyss of oppression and fundamentalism.
Fear after Sundown the Inescapable Threat for Women in Bangladesh; are increasingly fearful of staying outside after evening. Rising incidents of harassment, assault, and gender-based violence have created an atmosphere of anxiety. The fear is not unfounded—reports of attacks on women at night have increased, yet justice remains elusive. Law enforcement often blames victims rather than addressing the structural impunity that enables such crimes. The once-bustling urban life, where women could work and socialize freely, is now a realm of constant apprehension. Even institutions that were once law-abiding, such as the Police and other security agencies, can no longer ensure women’s safety, as their role in protecting citizens has been increasingly undermined by political and ideological pressures.
Policing Women’s Clothing a Dangerous Step Backward Bangladeshi women, who once felt comfortable in modern attire, now have to rethink their choices before stepping outside. The pressure to conform to a so-called ‘religiously appropriate’ dress code is mounting, and those who defy it face verbal abuse, threats, and even physical violence. Women are not protected by the law when such harassment occurs, and justice is often denied. This marks a disturbing step backward, as the state and society increasingly dictate what women can and cannot wear.
Increased Vulnerability of The Hijra (third-gender) community in Bangladesh, which had previously made significant strides in social acceptance and employment opportunities, is now facing intensified discrimination and violence. Transgender and Hijra individuals, many of whom earn their livelihood through traditional means, now work under a heightened sense of fear. Compared to previous years, incidents of abuse, eviction, and harassment have surged, further marginalizing an already vulnerable group. Many transgender individuals have been forced into hiding, as they no longer feel that the state is willing to provide them security like before.
The Silencing of Women’s Voices in Activism and Literature in Bangladesh are facing unprecedented restrictions in writing about their rights. Whenever women attempt to engage in movements for their freedoms, they are met with relentless attacks from police and fundamentalist groups. The suppression of women’s voices has reached such an extent that participating in protests or advocating for gender equality has become a dangerous endeavor. Fear of persecution has forced many feminists, writers, and activists into silence, effectively erasing crucial discourse on women’s rights from the public sphere. Some human rights activists have even confined themselves to their homes and stopped raising their voices because their security is becoming increasingly uncertain. Many have received threats through social media, putting their lives at further risk.
The Burqa as a Tool of Coercion to worrying trend has emerged in Bangladesh; where women are being subtly yet forcefully pressured to wear the burqa in all institutions. The pressure is both direct and indirect, facilitated by conservative factions that seek to impose rigid dress codes under the guise of religious propriety. This is further exemplified by a recent incident at the Ekushey Book Fair, where authorities bowed to fundamentalist demands and shut down stalls distributing free sanitary napkins, claiming the advertisements were inappropriate. Such regressive actions not only undermine women’s autonomy but also pose a significant threat to public health awareness. Additionally, some international and national organizations have started including images of women wearing hijabs in their activity souvenirs or invitations, a practice that was not commonly seen before. This shift signals a broader attempt to normalize religious conservatism in public and institutional spaces.
The Religious Extremism and Legalized Oppression is Rise hardliners in Bangladesh are actively using social media to campaign for the legalization of polygamy (four wife is Halal for Man), further binding women under patriarchal control. Despite the outcry from women’s rights activists, the government remains disturbingly silent, indirectly enabling such campaigns. If left unchecked, these efforts could lead to the normalization of gender-based oppression, resembling the dire situations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where honor killings, child marriages, and femicide are rampant.
The Systematic Erosion of Cultural Freedom is an alarming move to, cultural celebrations such as the Lalon Utsav (Festival) , Basanta Utsav, and Valentine’s Day have been banned in Dhaka (Capital) and various parts of the country. Theater festivals and other artistic expressions are also facing suppression, marking a calculated effort to erase Bangladesh’s cultural diversity and replace it with rigid fundamentalist ideologies. The restriction of cultural events is not only an attack on artistic freedom but also a significant step towards curbing progressive thought and reinforcing conservative values.
Have to Call to Action to Stopping the Regression before it’s Too Late; if these issues are not addressed urgently, Bangladesh risks becoming an unlivable place for women, akin to the most oppressive regimes in the world. The silencing of feminists, the rise of fundamentalist control, and the government’s alarming complacency could push the country towards a dystopian reality where gender apartheid is normalized. The international community, along with Bangladesh’s progressive intellectuals, must act now before these regressive forces gain irreversible ground.
Women in Bangladesh do not just deserve safety they deserve the right to exist without fear, without coercion, and without oppression. The time for passive concern has passed. Immediate action is necessary to restore and protect the fundamental rights of women in Bangladesh.
Musfika Laiju, Human Right Activist.