Dhaka: Zarin Rafiza, a student from the Women and Gender Studies Department at Dhaka University, participated in a protest against the recent incidents of sexual assault and rape in Bangladesh, including the horrific case of an 8-year-old girl.
“We demand immediate action against rape and violence against women,” Rafiza stated. She is among hundreds of students from universities across Bangladesh who have taken to the streets, boycotting classes and exams to demand justice.
The case of an 8-year-old girl, who is currently in critical condition after being raped in the western Magura district, has sparked outrage nationwide. The child is being treated at an army hospital in Dhaka. This incident has led to widespread anger, with women activists calling for the death penalty for the rapists without delay. Protesters chanted slogans like, “We want justice.”
Rafiza, speaking to media while standing in front of the Oporajeyo Bangla sculpture at Dhaka University, explained, “We are protesting today to resist the ongoing violence, especially against women. This month we are celebrating International Women’s Day, but the violence against women has been ongoing for a long time. The issue from August 5th is not as important now because we must address the violence that has persisted.”
In August 2024, a student-led movement led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after weeks of protests and violence. According to a UN fact-finding report, up to 1,400 people may have been killed during the unrest. Hasina fled to India, and an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus took over.
Rafiza emphasized, “We’ve been silent for too long, and we haven’t seen any concrete action from the government to address or end this violence. We no longer believe in just words; we want real action, starting now. Justice has been delayed for too long, and there’s no hope unless immediate change happens.”
The interim government has promised to expedite the investigation process amid growing protests over rape and violence against women. Asif Nazrul, a law adviser to the interim government, stated, “The accused will not be granted bail if the trial isn’t completed within 90 days.”
Women have claimed that rape and violence against women have increased since the change of government in August. Rafiza stressed the need for legal and societal reforms, saying, “We need reforms in law and mindset. We live in a patriarchal society where institutions, laws, and religion are exploited to normalize and perpetuate violence against women. We need change in every area of society.”
Rafiza also urged for changes in the definition of rape and condemned the use of religion to justify violence against women, adding, “Religious leaders should stop instigating violence against women through their sermons. It’s crucial that this ends.”