Stick procession held at Dhaka University protesting rising incidents of rape and violence against women

In a bold demonstration against the growing incidents of rape and violence against women in Bangladesh, protesters took to the streets of Dhaka University with a stick procession on Sunday, March 9th. 

Organized under the banner of the ‍‍`Bangladesh Against Rape and Oppression‍‍` platform, the rally drew attention to the urgent need for action and accountability.

The march began at around 2:45 PM in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture at TSC, where participants armed with small bamboo sticks set off. 

The procession made its way through various notable locations on campus, including the VC Chattar, Nilkhet, Kataban, and Shahbagh intersections, before returning to the starting point at the Raju Memorial Sculpture.

Leading the march were Dhaka University professor Samina Lutfa, alongside students and members of various social organizations, all united in their demand for justice and safety.

During the rally, powerful slogans echoed through the streets: 

“Ensure safety for life and property, or leave your seat,” “Murder, rape, and oppression—rise up, people,” “Rape perpetrators must be brought to justice immediately,” “Rapists are committing rape, what is the administration doing?” and “Begum Rokeya taught us to fight for our survival.”

The protesters raised nine key demands, centered around the government‍‍`s failure to protect women and the immediate need for reform. One of the primary calls to action was the removal of Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, citing his inability to curb the rising violence. 

The protesters also demanded the swift trial of all rape cases, suggesting the establishment of specialized tribunals if necessary.

The full list of demands included:

1. The resignation of the Home Advisor, who should take responsibility for failing to ensure public safety;
2. Immediate measures to stop the increasing incidents of rape, violence against women, theft, robbery, and muggings nationwide;
3. Swift justice for all cases of rape and violence across the country, including in the hill tracts and plains, with the formation of separate tribunals if required;
4. Legal reforms, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to address gaps in laws related to the prevention of rape and violence against women;
5. Institutional reforms to curb sexual harassment in workplaces and educational institutions;
6. The removal of obstacles when filing rape cases at police stations;
7. A revisit and enforcement of the 2011 Witness Protection Law to ensure full protection for victims and witnesses involved in these cases;
8. An investigation into the harassment, slut-shaming, and dismissal of female students at Chittagong University, and punishment for those responsible;
9. The dismissal of any authority figure found engaging in slut-shaming, and the establishment of an independent anti-sexual harassment cell within all educational institutions, involving both students and teachers.

The demonstration came at a time when the nation has seen an alarming rise in cases of rape and violence against women, sparking widespread outrage. 

Protesters voiced their frustration with the government‍‍`s failure to address these incidents, calling for urgent and concrete action to ensure the safety and rights of women across the country.