Institutional reforms are needed rather than changing the constitution: Sara Hossain

Women held a shackle breaking march in Dhaka at midnight to protest discrimination against women, rape, oppression and torture of women and to ensure equality between men and women in the constitution. Women from different professions participated in this march demanding the elimination of discrimination against women.

They said that the culture of oppression, oppression and torture against women has been going on in Bangladesh for a long time. The constitution should ensure women’s rights and equality. The safety of women must be ensured in all institutions in the state, including the administration-judiciary department.

On Friday (30 August) at 12:05 PM, the mass shackle-breaking procession started in front of the Shahbagh National Museum. The intention of this protest march is to protest against the rape and oppression of women and to demand justice for the criminals.

It ends at Manik Mia Avenue via City College-Kalabagan from Shahbagh. They arrived at Manik Mia Avenue around 2:30am and held a rally. The sweeping procession ended at Plaza De Jatiya Sangsad Bhavan on Manik Mia Avenue. At that time, the organizer of the shackle breaking march, Attiba Taapsee, issued 13 written calls. Later it was concluded by performing the song ‘Sahs Karo Ma-Bonera’ by vocalist Farzana Waheed Sayan.

The senior lawyer of the Supreme Court, Sara Hossain, said, ‘We are not considering changing the constitution at the moment. I think we need institutional reforms rather than drawing up a constitution. In particular, we should think and work with various institutions including the judiciary, the human rights commission, the electoral commission.

He added, ‘As we walked tonight, many women were supposed to come. But they are not allowed to come from home due to security reasons. We have to work in those areas too. So that we can all participate democratically. I want to see women participating in the various recommendations that will come during this period, namely the various reform processes.

Bangladesh Women’s Liberation Center President Seema Datta said, ‘Even after the fall of the government, there were incidents of rape in three mountain areas. A madrasa student was raped two days ago. As a result, violence against women does not stop. So we are marching today to demand women’s safety from the interim government. Because this government is the government of our students. We want this government to ensure equality between men and women. We do not want any discrimination against women. I want to confirm this to the state.’

Atiba Taapsee, organizer of the shackle breaking walk, said, ‘We organized the first shackle breaking walk in 2020 as part of the anti-rape movement. This is the fourth time we have done this padayatra. The July Uprising, the dictatorship-free country we got in exchange for the blood of thousands of martyrs, will not be free as long as the women of this country continue to be oppressed. Dr. We hope that the government formed under the leadership of Yunus will ensure women’s safety and justice. Starting from the case of Munya’s rape and murder, the rich people who have managed to escape so far, should not have it anymore.’

The women who participated in the march were chanting different slogans and holding different placards in their hands, break men’s power, equality, stop legal oppression, stop oppression of women, stop violence generated by the state, stop hiding the crimes of the rich, people have given blood, want equality now, don’t wake up aunt PC. Why aren’t women activists at the forefront? My sister is in the grave, why is Anvir out? etc. displaying placards. Many of them had torches at this time.

Their 13 requirements are-1. An excellent and fair punishment should be ensured at the earliest for those involved in ongoing sexual violence throughout the country.

2. Industrialists-tycoons like Sayem Sobhan Anveer, Shafat Ahmed should be prosecuted and punished as soon as possible. If necessary, arrangements should be made to re-investigate cases that have been unfairly rejected.

3. By revising Section 146(3) of the Evidence in Cases of Violence Act, 1872 (Amended) to prevent any form of ‘victim blaming’ in cases of sexual violence regardless of their gender identity of caste religion, caste age, by will include aspects of the law

4. The legal and social definition of rape needs to be revised in accordance with international human rights standards.

5. The DNA law of the case must be applied in the case of evidence.

6. Efforts should be made to create a safe environment for women in the mountains by ensuring a free process of reporting sexual violence by military-civilian men on women in the mountains of army patrols, taking complaints into consideration and a fair trial.

7. According to the instructions of the High Court, the anti-sexual harassment cell should be effective and fully implemented in all public and private institutions including educational institutions. Bangladesh should sign and fully implement the Sido Charter.

8. A helpline should be launched to facilitate women in marginal areas to prevent sexual violence. Attempts to cover up allegations of rape through Gramin Salish/Panchayat should be treated as a punishable offence.

9. Effective teaching of sex education (good touch-bad touch, importance of consent, private parts) should be included in the textbooks from primary level onwards.

10. Ensure the safety of all children, including madrassa children, and ensure a fair trial of complaints in the fastest tribunal within 90 days if any child is a victim of sexual abuse.

11. Police and other harassment should be stopped when a woman is victimized by reporting a complaint to the police station and the court.

12. A zero tolerance policy should be followed in terms of the safety and security of women in public transport.

13. In the name of religious speech, steps should be taken to prevent the spread of derogatory statements about women online and offline.