Dhaka: BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today announced that his party will implement five priority measures to ensure women’s safety at home, in public places, and in professional environments.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tarique Rahman addressed the issue via a Facebook post on his verified page, emphasizing the urgent need for a safe environment for women in Bangladesh. “If we move forward as Bangladesh, our daughters, mothers, sisters, and colleagues cannot live in an atmosphere of fear,’ he stated. He highlighted the everyday challenges women face, including harassment, intimidation, bullying, and violence, simply for engaging in normal activities like speaking, working, and studying.
Rahman expressed his vision for a Bangladesh where women are not subjected to fear and violence, stating, ‘This is not the Bangladesh we dream of. And it is not the future our young girls deserve.” He acknowledged the impact of the digital world on contemporary life, noting the differences in experiences between generations. “Sometimes my wife and I find ourselves reflecting on how different today’s world is for our daughter compared to the days we grew up in. And like many parents and concerned citizens, we feel both hope and worry. The opportunities are greater than ever, but so are the threats,” he added.
He then outlined five urgent priorities that BNP plans to implement if they come to power. These measures include:
1. A National Online Safety System: This system will provide a fast and simple way for women to report cyberbullying, threats, impersonation, and leaked information, supported by a 24/7 hotline, an online portal, and trained responders for swift and respectful action. Partnerships with major platforms aim to improve Bangla-language moderation and ensure abusive content is removed quickly.
2. Protection Protocols for Women in Public Life: These will include clear national guidelines, rapid legal and digital support, and confidential reporting channels for women who face attacks as journalists, activists, students, or community leaders. The aim is to ensure that no woman is silenced for participating in public life.
3. Digital Safety Education: Schools and universities will be tasked with teaching practical digital-safety skills during orientation. Trained teachers will act as ‘safety focal points’, and annual awareness campaigns will help young people navigate the digital world with confidence.
4. Stronger Community Response to Violence and Harassment: Community help desks, safer transport routes, improved street lighting, and trauma-sensitive responders will be established to make daily life safer and more predictable for women.
5. A Nationwide Push for Women’s Leadership and Participation: Leadership training, mentoring networks, and expanded access to childcare in schools, offices, and workplaces will be promoted to allow women to lead, achieve, and contribute fully.
Tarique Rahman called on everyone to collaborate in creating a better future for daughters and the generations to come. “Whatever our politics, religion, ethnicity, or gender, one truth must unite us as Bangladeshis: A Bangladesh where women are safe, supported, and empowered is an unstoppable Bangladesh,” he concluded.