THE New Nation reported on how a female student of the Dhaka University was sexually assaulted by the helper of a bus driver while she was travelling from her home in Manikganj to the capital. Police reported the arrest of culprit on Sunday raising question about safety of women while they are on travel. The victim in question was travelling alone and at one stage one of the bus helpers took seat at her side and tried to make advances. Later he attempted to force her out of the bus in the afternoon when other passengers rescued her. It is an unspeakable shame.
Women vulnerability in our society is almost an open secret but attempt on a varsity student in a running bus is something quite terrible and unheard to tell about the breaking law and order situation when the government is busy otherwise. Stories of rape of women and girls in running buses and city transports are often reported in global media causing equal consternation in Bangladesh. But criminals are alike in all countries and we believe Bangladesh government should set example of handling such cases mercilessly without being influenced by powerful political quarters and transport workers union.
We see almost helplessly cruelty to women is on rise killing them or gauging their eyes for dowries and in such other family quarrels. But the reported incident showed criminals are trying to take such cruelties now in running buses in the highways and public places to make the life and dignity of our feminine population highly vulnerable. The country has made significant stride in empowering women; it is ahead of many other South Asian countries in this respect but it equally demands protection to women in their movement to and from offices or colleges and varsities. In fact current statistics do not exactly figure out the exact number of victims of sexual harassment in the society from school going girls to office going women. Miscreants and members of wealthy and powerful families are regularly targeting girls of poor families and going with full impunity. Poor can’t even raise voices fearing their safety.
In our view the special court for trial of women and child abuse must be further strengthened and laws amended with provision for vigorous punishment. Such trials must be highlighted so that exemplary punishment can work as deterrent to further cruelties on women and children. We believe the culprit in question must get the highest punishment provided by law.
