“Violence against women is widespread and multidimensional. Besides physical and psychological abuse, there is another dimension of violence and that is hatred and contempt against women and girls that systematic in society. In Bangladesh, there are very few people to patiently listen to the voices of the victims of violence. It is important to create space to hear the victims’ voices.”
This is how Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, former adviser to caretaker government, executive chairman of Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) and research adviser of Brattyajan Resource Centre (BRC) reflected on violence and hostility women face in society. He spoke as the chief guest in a discussion organized by Brattyajan Resource Centre (BRC), Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD), PPRC and partner organizations on 30 November 2022 in Dhaka to celebrate 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. A colourful cultural programme of a transgender team followed the discussion.
Around 80 victims of extreme violence from among sex workers based in brothels and working on the streets and hotels, Hijra (transgender), tea workers, Bede, rights activists and journalists came together at the day discussion and celebration to share their solidarity in the yearly global campaign that runs from 25 November to December 10. The theme of the campaign for 2022 was ‘UNITE! Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls’.
While Dr. Rahman chaired the meeting, Philip Gain, the program director of BRC gave an overview of violence and discrimination against women from the select groups—tea workers, sex workers and transgender, ethnic communities and Bede (gypsy) community—who attended the day-long event.
An important aspect of day-long event was to listen to the voices of women who have fallen victims of violence including rape, phenomenal discrimination and deprivation.
A victim of gangrape [in 2015] and a teacher of Shamshernagar Tea Estate in Moulvibazar district, spoke of her nightmarish experience: “I tried to hide that I was raped and I wanted to commit suicide. I then told my story to my family and the doctor and filed a lawsuit in the hope of getting justice. But to date, I have not gotten justice. The accused taken into custody secured bail and are at large. I still demand fair trial and the culprits brought to book.
Joya Sikder, a transgender woman activist, spoke of the plights of the transgender community. “Hijra is an occupation and transgender is our sex identity. Everyone should have a clear idea before using these terminologies.”
Falguni Tripura, coordinator of Bangladesh Adivasi Women’s Network, maintained, “Language is one of the biggest barriers for our women. It is due to this barrier that the facts are not properly recorded in FIR,” said Ms. Tripura. “If complaints are not recorded right, how can we expect justice out of it?”
“Lily Begum, an inmate of Daulatdia brothel, is missing since 10 November 2021. We still don’t see fair investigation and trial. We want to know is she alive or not,” said wailing Kumli, a sex worker of the largest of 11 brothels of Bangladesh and one of the largest brothels in the world located on the bank of river Padma in Rajbari district. Extreme forms of violence including killing are often reported from this brothel with around 1400 sex workers.
Hazera begum, president of Shishuder Jonno Amra (we are for children), an organization dedicated to the children of sex workers and street children; Aleya Akter Lily, president of Sex Workers’ Network (SWN); Moni Kol from Baikunthopur Tea Estate, a female tea worker facing coercion from the manager of the garden and Titna Khatun, a Bede (gypsy) woman also shared their personal stories and plights at the discussion.
The community leaders, lawyers and human rights defenders shared insights about the roots of gender-based violence and also committed assistance, including legal support, to the victims.
One of the special guests, advocate Salma Ali, president of Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers’ Association (BNWLA), said, “Every sex worker has the right to file a case for rape and it is absolutely compulsory for the police to take such complaints.”
Advocate Ali added, “We have to be vocal every day round the year, not just during these 16 days of campaign. We must take more actions to make our resistance efforts more visible.”
Ms. Mithila Farzana, head of current affairs of Ekattor Television talked on the media strategy of telling the stories of women facing violence. “We have endless stories of gender-based violence to tell but very few get public attention. We need to design right strategies in order to make our stories more presentable. We also need to involve men here. They must become aware of our struggles too. Media can help spreading these stories to draw maximum attention,” said Ms. Farjana.
Nasimun Ara Haque Minu, president of Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra (BNSK), agreed with Mithila Farzana saying, “Unity is all we need. Men must participate too in this movement. Together our voices should get louder.”
“Why does the victim have to prove that she was raped? Questioned Ms. Minu. “Rather it should be the other way around—accused must prove that he is innocent.”
On the significance of the story telling session and discussion, Dr. Rahman said, “Telling stories is a powerful means. So, the victims’ voices must be strengthened and they need to be strategic in telling their stories in the right places to build resistance against social, mental and physical violence.”
Morjina Begum, executive director of Mukti Mohila Samiti (MMS) and adivasi woman activist Tandra Chakma also spoke at the discussion.
The event turned into a celebration with amazing cultural show of the Hijra community. Songs, dances, recitation of poems and mini-drama of the Hijra artists showcased their talents and communicated a message that all women, irrespective of their occupations and despite the discrimination they face, have strengths and potentials. Thus, the message transpired, if united, women and girls can resist violence in many fronts. Thus, this year’s theme, ‘UNITE! Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls’, got a meaning at celebration.
Report by Philip Gain | Bangla
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