Rising Hostility Towards Women Activists in Bangladesh
Prominent voices in Bangladesh warn of a growing climate of intimidation targeting women activists. According to Zobaida Nasreen, a respected professor at Dhaka University and vocal advocate for women’s rights, fundamentalist groups are resorting to harsh tactics to silence and discredit those championing gender equality.
Smears and Threats as Tools of Suppression
Nasreen revealed that members of the recently formed women’s affairs commission are enduring severe backlash, including defamatory accusations labeling them as ‘sex workers’. Such slander is used to undermine their credibility and halt progress on critical reforms.
These attacks come in response to the commission’s proposals aimed at enhancing women’s legal protections, including measures related to inheritance laws and the rights of sex workers. Yet powerful conservative factions like Hefazat-e-Islam and Jamaat-e-Islami have not only rejected these reforms but actively pressured the government to abandon them.
Government’s Role in the Backlash
Nasreen expressed concern that the current administration, led by Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus’s National Citizen Party (NCP), seems to be yielding to fundamentalist pressures. She criticized the government's silence on the issue, suggesting it tacitly enables the harassment.
From Active Participation to Fear and Censorship
Last year's protests saw women assert themselves boldly and unapologetically. However, the tide has turned dramatically. Women who once marched fearlessly are now subject to public vilification and intimidation.
Nasreen described how psychological pressure is pushing women to alter their behavior and appearance, such as changing how they dress, out of fear rather than legal obligation. This atmosphere of fear compromises women’s ability to participate freely in social and political life.
Personal Risks for Advocates
Echoing these challenges, Nasreen herself shared instances of indirect threats, including a note advising her to cover her head before returning to campus, reflecting the pervasive climate of intimidation against dissenting voices.
Implications for Gender Equality in Bangladesh
The ongoing harassment highlights a troubling reversal for Bangladesh, a nation once lauded for advancing women's education and public involvement. Experts warn that unchecked social conservatism combined with political inaction risks eroding significant gains in gender equality.
A Call for Solidarity and Action
Advocates emphasize the need for robust governmental support and societal solidarity to protect women activists and uphold reforms that promote equal rights. Without this, the progress painstakingly achieved may falter under mounting pressure from fundamentalist factions.
