Dr. Md. Enamul Hoque :
Is the observance of the International Women’s Day a celebration or a protest? Every year, since 1975, the International Women’s Day is officially celebrated on March 08. But, this year the International Women’s Day 2022 has special focus as it is being celebrated when the international community is thinking, “Covid must go”. The theme of 2022 “International Women’s Day” is- Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.
Violence against women and girls has a long history; and it is a human rights violation. Studies find that one in every three women experiences physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, family member, or any other of the society. In times of pandemic, the numbers of violence get higher and intensified.
Under no circumstances violence against women is encouraged or allowed in Islam. There are many examples in the Al-Quran and Al-Hadith that describes the behavior of Muslims towards husband and wife. In Islam, the relationship among men and women should be one of mutual love, respect, and kindness. Allah (swt) says in Quran, “O believers treat women with kindness even if you dislike them; it is quite possible that you dislike something which Allah might yet make a source of abundant good (An Nisa 4:19).
Violence against women to certain limit has been accepted and even condoned throughout the history. It is more than 2,000 years ago; Roman law permitted a man “life and death” authority over his wife. In the 18th Century, English common law gave a man permission to discipline control his wife and children with a stick or whip no wider than his thumb. This “rule of thumb” continued in England and America until the late 19th century.
Today’s generation may find it difficult to digest the facts of the Hindu practice of Sati, – the ‘burning to death’ ceremony of a widow on her husband’s funeral pyre. It was a deep-rooted religious violence against women. Although this practice has been banned and is illegal now, yet it is still regarded as the ultimate form of extreme violence against women.
Emerging data from different studies show an increase of violence against women is intensified in many countries since the outbreak of Covid -19. From the newspaper, electronic and social media reports, it is observed since the outbreak of Covid -19 that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, have intensified worldwide. The Covid -19 pandemic has snapped a double hit to women in Bangladesh and many other nations in the third world countries, as it makes them even more vulnerable to domestic cruelty and oppression.
Dhaka City Corporation’s data shows that, the cases of domestic violence and divorce increased during the pandemic by nearly 30% last year. The data displays that in the last 7 years, the divorce applications rate is increased by 34%. Moreover, approximately 70% of divorce applications come from women, mostly of them are educated and employed. It is often said that the number of divorce attempts from women is growing because women are now more vocal against violence due to women-empowerment, government policy, existing laws, and education.
Bangladesh has been strongly responding to violence against women and girls. The government has formulated the Prevention of Oppression against Women and Children Act 2000 as well as the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act of 2010 with provisions against domestic violence and ensuring legal support to women.
The government has a prompt response mechanism. There are 13 one-stop centers across the country, and a hotline number (109) attached with police. The government has a prompt response mechanism. However, the mass awareness is an effective tool to eliminate violence against women. From the newspaper report it is known that a woman, wife of ex-state minister, called 109 for help and complained against that ex-minister.
Women in Bangladesh are far more likely to be victims of domestic violence than men, but a growing number of men complain that they are also facing abuse. Experts say gender-neutral laws are needed to tackle the problems arose. While there are no official statistics on the exact number of domestic abuse cases where men are victims by women, experts say the problem demands the government’s attention. The country has strict laws to protect women and children from domestic violence and sexual abuse, but no such legislation is available to protect the rights of men rather men are often seen as perpetrators of such crimes, not as victims.
Equality between men and women should grow from mutual respect and recognition of differences. Men and women were both created in God’s image and He designed us to live and work together in harmony. To achieve lasting change in the society, it is important to enact and enforce legislation and implement policies that promote gender equality and mutual trust and respect. Every victim men or women, whoever, must get justice for their disgraceful condition in the family and society, irrespective of gender.
(Dr. Enamul is educational researcher and teacher educator).
