Women on the streets of Dhaka demand that rights cannot be denied in the name of the constitution or culture

POBNEWS24, Dhaka, May 16, 2025 : Thousands of women took to the streets of Bangladesh’s Manik Mia Avenue against equality and discrimination. A declaration was read out in the ‘Narir Dake Maitree Yatra’ program organized by progressive women, workers, students, cultural and professional organizations. The declaration rejected any violence and discrimination against women. In addition to various women’s organizations, women and men, regardless of religion and caste, actively participated in the program organized on the capital’s Manik Mia Avenue on Friday afternoon. The demand for women’s rights and the creation of a society without discrimination was highlighted through banners, leaflets, slogans, songs and poems, which enlivened the entire program.
The declaration said that the interim government must be more active in fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities. Strict action must be taken against threats of violence, especially against women and marginalized communities, rumors and propaganda surrounding the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, and attempts to create panic among the people using religious values ​​as weapons.
The declaration also said that those who want to participate in elections or promise reforms must clearly state their position on the rights and freedoms of women, workers, ethnic, religious, linguistic and gender minorities. At least 33 percent of women representatives must be ensured among candidates in future politics, including the upcoming elections. Immediate and effective steps must be taken for the education, health, social and economic empowerment of women and marginalized communities.
The declaration warned that we will not accept any attempt to continue violence and discrimination against women. Conspiracies to deny fundamental rights will be stopped. Attempts to create confusion and chaos, attempts to turn culture and religion into repressive weapons, and attempts to universalize narrow-mindedness will be strictly resisted.
We will keep the women’s policies and positions of the government and political parties under surveillance. We are determined to dismantle those structures that perpetuate discrimination and violence by using the power structure. We will not bow down in the face of threats, and we will not back down in the struggle to establish a just society.
The declaration also says that in the context of the July uprising, we have united today at an urgent moment. Our demand is a democratic and just Bangladesh, where the dignity and rights of all citizens will be established on the basis of non-discrimination and equality.
Recalling the active participation of women in the history of Bangladesh, the declaration says that women have courageously participated in the anti-British movement, Tebhaga, Tonk, Nankar, language movement, liberation war, mass uprising, anti-rape movement, protection of the Sundarbans, safe roads and anti-VAT movements.
However, even in the post-uprising period, reactionary and patriarchal forces are creating obstacles in the path of women. Efforts are being made to discourage women’s participation in the political arena through obstruction of decision-making, personal attacks, online harassment, sexual harassment, and public attacks.
The Women’s Rights Reform Commission, formed as part of the women’s rights reform process, presented 433 recommendations. But these recommendations are being propagated with distorted interpretations, which obscure the core demands. In addition, the members of the commission have been publicly insulted.
The interim government has not reacted to this heinous behavior, which is very disappointing. This clearly shows that the government’s indifference actually carries a message of suppressing those demanding fundamental rights.
The declaration says that the rights of women and marginalized groups cannot be denied in the name of the constitution or culture. Starting from the land rights of farmers to environmental justice—everything is linked to women’s rights. Therefore, it is not possible to establish a just society without ensuring the rights of the most deprived sections of society.
The government and any future government are told that the political, personal and economic freedom of women, workers, minorities, transgender and gender diverse citizens is unconditional.
The declaration clearly states that our fight is not only for the dignity of women, but also for fair wages for workers, safe working conditions, the right to organize, land and property rights, sexual and reproductive freedom, the right to education and healthcare, and the rights of disabled and marginalized communities.
This movement is against environmental destruction, lack of justice and the erosion of democratic rights. Many of the recommendations of the Women’s Reform Commission are included in these basic demands, so the attempts to abolish the commission and attacks on its members are undoubtedly worrying.
The accusation that there are attempts to suppress this movement by resorting to hatred, threats and organized violence raises the question, who is the government trying to appease? The radical nationalist section of the majority? Or those who plan to maintain the discriminatory structure in the name of reform?
Finally, the declaration is made—rights are not to be sought, but earned. And in that fight, there is no fear—there is no room for retreat.