Dhaka, Nov 16 – Women from different professions including members
rs of civil society and a large number of female journalists on Friday formed a human chain in the city to express solidarity with the #MeToo movement. Speakers at the human chain formed in front of Jatiya Press Club under the banner of “Solidarity with #MeToo”, arranged by Shachetan Nagorik Shomaj, urged the government to apply the verdict given by the High Court on sexual harassment.
They also demanded an investigation into each of the complaints surfacing with the #MeToo tag in Bangladesh and exemplary punishment of the culprits.
Expressing solidarity with the women who recently shared their bitter experience of sexual harassment on the social media, Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra (BNSK) President Nasimun Ara Haq Minu said their movement is not against male bodies of the society, but the sexual offenders.
Resonated with the HC’s verdict, speakers mentioned women should be shown their due respect in every aspect of the society.
Television channel Banglavision’s News Editor Sharmin Rinvi appreciated women of the country for being vocal on social media about the harassments they have faced.
“It is by no means just a feminist movement. We want to unmask the harassers collectively,” she said.
Angurnahar Monty, Joint News Editor of News24, expressed her delight mentioning that Bangladeshi men are also in support of #MeToo movement.
Senior Vice-president of Bangladesh Online Journalists Forum Rosy Ferdousi urged the government to ensure exemplary punishment of those perverts who have been unmasked through the movement.
“We want to take this movement forward,” she added.
Nadira Dilruba, a journalist working with magazine Oporadh Bichitra, shared her worse experience of harassments that she faced in her life and claimed that these incidents speak for almost all classes of women in Bangladesh.
Mushfiqa Laizu expressed her thanks to the social media for being able to share her experience which is most likely to others in Bangladesh, saying “Women are not tools for pleasure.”
News portal Bangla Tribune’s Chief Reporter Udisa Islam urged media houses and other organizations to investigate every accusation on any of their employees.
According to speakers, so far nine women and one man spoke about harassments done to them via #MeToo hashtag in social media where publishers, professors, businessmen and journalists were accused of sexual misconduct.
Among others present at the human chain, Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) Secretary Shukkur Ali Shuvo and Ganajagaran Mancha organiser SM Shaheen spoke on the occasion. – UNB
