A Correspondent :
Though the government fixed 100-metre area on the sea-beach for women’s safe swimming, it has become unprotected due to random presence of males. There is nobody to monitor the matter. As a result, the safe zone for women’s swimming is in black and white. The district administration fixed the zone in January last to avoid any unexpected incidents or eve-teasing. Meanwhile, not only this zone, but the whole sea-beach is open for women. But, if any woman feels unsafe, she can swim in their zone.
Though there are separate swimming zones for women around the world’s sea-beaches, the Bangladesh Government took the steps recently. The zone is situated across 100-metre area near Hotel Seagull. While visiting recently, it was found that the district administration hanged two signboards on two sides of the zone describing its presence. But, males have been found to swim inside the zone.
While asked, In-charge of beach workers for visitors’ safety Mahabub Alam said, “Due to presence of huge visitors, the woman swimming zone is hardly differentiable. I warned many tourists in this connection, but some of them rebuked me. Besides, the sea is violent and there is a prohibition on swimming in the sea now, but nobody is following the warning.”
A tourist Sumaiya Jahan said, “We came here from Dhaka. There are eight women in our 12-member group. We went to swim in the women’s safe zone but found hundreds of males swimming there. Nobody is following the instructions on the signboards. Later, we somehow finished our bathing.” The safe zone was initiated with the advice and overall maintenance of the district administration on January 4 last. Executive Magistrate of the district administration Saiful Islam Joy was in-charge of Tourism and Protocol Wing of the zone.
He said, the women visitors coming here without males will get chance to swim the zone safely. If any woman is assaulted, the beach workers will take quick steps, and lifeguard members will rescue any woman in danger during swimming. Besides, the women can contact in the helpline number 01733-373127. The administration will take speedy steps in this connection.He also said many women are coming to the safe zone despite some eve-teasing incidents. There are beach workers and lifeguard members to protect them.
It was alleged that many eve-teasing incidents are happening on the beach. After experimental starting of the zone for two weeks, there was much response. But, after this, all became as before. Concerned authority was found inactive there.President of Cox’s Bazar Society Gias Uddin said the women tourists were hopeful after the zone started. Their overall safety was also ensured. But, within a short time, the situation has become like before. The women are now finding it unsafe to swim in the zone. All have become open for all. In-charge of Tourism Cell and Executive Magistrate of district administration Selim Sheikh said, “We are warning male visitors not to swim in the women’s zone. Many of them are swimming due to ignorance. We will start mobile court in this connection soon when the tourists will become aware.”
Though the government fixed 100-metre area on the sea-beach for women’s safe swimming, it has become unprotected due to random presence of males. There is nobody to monitor the matter. As a result, the safe zone for women’s swimming is in black and white. The district administration fixed the zone in January last to avoid any unexpected incidents or eve-teasing. Meanwhile, not only this zone, but the whole sea-beach is open for women. But, if any woman feels unsafe, she can swim in their zone.
Though there are separate swimming zones for women around the world’s sea-beaches, the Bangladesh Government took the steps recently. The zone is situated across 100-metre area near Hotel Seagull. While visiting recently, it was found that the district administration hanged two signboards on two sides of the zone describing its presence. But, males have been found to swim inside the zone.
While asked, In-charge of beach workers for visitors’ safety Mahabub Alam said, “Due to presence of huge visitors, the woman swimming zone is hardly differentiable. I warned many tourists in this connection, but some of them rebuked me. Besides, the sea is violent and there is a prohibition on swimming in the sea now, but nobody is following the warning.”
A tourist Sumaiya Jahan said, “We came here from Dhaka. There are eight women in our 12-member group. We went to swim in the women’s safe zone but found hundreds of males swimming there. Nobody is following the instructions on the signboards. Later, we somehow finished our bathing.” The safe zone was initiated with the advice and overall maintenance of the district administration on January 4 last. Executive Magistrate of the district administration Saiful Islam Joy was in-charge of Tourism and Protocol Wing of the zone.
He said, the women visitors coming here without males will get chance to swim the zone safely. If any woman is assaulted, the beach workers will take quick steps, and lifeguard members will rescue any woman in danger during swimming. Besides, the women can contact in the helpline number 01733-373127. The administration will take speedy steps in this connection.He also said many women are coming to the safe zone despite some eve-teasing incidents. There are beach workers and lifeguard members to protect them.
It was alleged that many eve-teasing incidents are happening on the beach. After experimental starting of the zone for two weeks, there was much response. But, after this, all became as before. Concerned authority was found inactive there.President of Cox’s Bazar Society Gias Uddin said the women tourists were hopeful after the zone started. Their overall safety was also ensured. But, within a short time, the situation has become like before. The women are now finding it unsafe to swim in the zone. All have become open for all. In-charge of Tourism Cell and Executive Magistrate of district administration Selim Sheikh said, “We are warning male visitors not to swim in the women’s zone. Many of them are swimming due to ignorance. We will start mobile court in this connection soon when the tourists will become aware.”
