Tarique Rahman Says BNP to Prioritize Five Key Areas for Women’s Safety

ছবিঃ সংগৃহীত

News Desk: BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has announced that the party will prioritize five key areas to ensure women’s safety both online and offline. He shared this update in a post on his verified Facebook page today (Thursday, November 20).

In his post, he stated, “It is undeniable that the digital world is now entwined with every aspect of our lives—from our daily routines to the participation of nations on the global stage. None of us can ignore the speed at which technology has transformed both the world and Bangladesh. Sometimes my wife and I reflect on how different our upbringing was compared to the world our daughter is growing up in today. Like many parents and concerned citizens, we feel both hope and anxiety. Opportunities are greater than before, but so are the risks.”

He further emphasized, “If Bangladesh is to progress, our daughters, mothers, sisters, and colleagues cannot live in fear. Every day, many women face harassment, intimidation, threats, and violence simply for speaking up, working, studying, or living independently. This is not the Bangladesh we dream of. This is not the future our young women deserve.”

Tarique Rahman added that women must feel safe—in both online and offline spaces, at home and in public, in their personal lives and professional journeys. To make this a reality, BNP is considering implementing five urgent priorities.

The five priority areas BNP is focusing on are:

1. National Online Safety System: A fast and simple way for women to report cyberbullying, threats, personal data breaches, and information leaks, supported by a 24/7 hotline, an online portal, and trained personnel who respond promptly and respectfully.

2. Public Safety Protocols for Women: Clear national guidelines, rapid legal and digital support, and safe complaint mechanisms for women facing attacks as journalists, workers, students, or community leaders. No woman should be silenced from participating in public life.

3. Digital Safety Education: Schools and universities should provide practical digital security training during orientation. Trained teachers will serve as “safety focal points,” and annual awareness campaigns will help young people confidently navigate the digital world.

4. Strong Community-Level Response Against Violence and Harassment: Community help desks, safe transport routes, better street lighting, and trauma-sensitive responders can make daily life safer for women.

5. Nationwide Push for Women’s Leadership Participation: Leadership training, mentorship networks, and supportive environments in schools, offices, and workplaces will enable women to contribute fully. When women advance, the entire nation progresses with them.

Tarique Rahman concluded, “Regardless of our politics, religion, ethnicity, or gender, as Bangladeshis, we must unite around this truth. We want a Bangladesh where women are safe, supported, and empowered. That will be an unstoppable Bangladesh. Let us work together to turn the desired future into reality for our daughters and the next generation.”