Bangladesh, March 02 — “Women and men united

Bangladesh, March 02 — “Women and men united to end violence against women and girls” is the theme that the United Nations has chosen for International Women’s Day 2009. International Women’s Day is commemorated on March 8 each year throughout the world, celebrating women's achievements as well as highlighting ongoing challenges that women face. Only 24 women have been elected as heads of state in this century. It’s a matter of real achievement that Bangladesh is honored with two such women leaders, Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the current prime minister of Bangladesh, and Begum Khaleda Zia, former prime minister.

It has been 35 years since Bangladesh became independent, and Begum Khaleda Zia has held positions of power for about 10 of those years, which is the longest period of any one person. She was elected to five separate parliamentary constituencies in the general elections of 1991, 1996, and 2001, a feat not achieved by any other politician in Bangladeshi history.

Both women have served as head of state for different periods. While both women were able to win victories in the public realm, they also both faced strong obstacles as women. A look at their challenges offers insights into the situation of women in general in Bangladesh.

During the state of emergency declared in Bangladesh in January 2007, the Bangladesh police under the military-backed caretaker government filed politically motivated and false extortion and murder charges against Sheikh Hasina Wazed. Thereafter, the interim government banned Sheikh Hasina, who was visiting the United States at the time, from returning to Bangladesh. However, the ban was eventually dropped and she was allowed to return to her homeland.

Then, in July 2007, the government arrested Sheikh Hasina Wazed at her home, with the ulterior motive to draw portrait of Pakistan to force her to into political exile. A concerned international community protested her arrest. On June 11, 2008, Hasina was released on parole for medical reasons and the next day she flew to the United States to be treated for hearing impairment, eye problems and high blood pressure. Her personal physician threatened to sue the caretaker government over negligence regarding Hasina's treatment during her detention.

On September 2, 2007, a case was filed against Zia by the interim government for corruption regarding the awarding of contracts to the company Global Agro Trade in 2003, and on September 3, 2007, she was arrested. She was eventually released by an executive order.

Although Islam has always prioritized women and given honor to women, as clarified in the Quran, Islamic fascists have questioned women's ability to lead, targeting Sheikh Hasina Wazed in particular. On August 21, 2004, a murderous attack took place on Sheikh Hasina while she addressed a public rally in Dhaka, in which 23 people were killed. One of the victims was Ivy Rahman, a close associate of Sheikh Hasina. Sheikh Hasina herself narrowly escaped with some injuries. To this day, she continues to suffer from injuries and has become nearly deaf as a result of that attack.

In past election campaign Hsian and Khaleda Zia campaign under foolproof security arrangements and moved with the high security of Special Security Force with fear of being targeted by Islamic fascists. The top women leaders are paying the price of the Islamization of Bangladesh. The transition to democracy is always jeopardized by Islamic fascists who demand a Islamic theocracy.

In 2008, there were 518 cases of violence against women in Bangladesh, according to a report released by Ain O Salish Kendra, a human rights organization. Of the victims, 172 women were killed over dowry disputes and 246 through domestic violence, while 83 were killed after being raped. The list includes 17 female domestic helpers. Furthermore, 367 more women were raped and eight of them committed suicide during the one-year period. Two domestic helpers also committed suicide. Also, 20 women fell victim to punishment according to Fatwa, or religious edicts by religious village leaders.

Violence against women is becoming more widespread across the country. The legal process to combat gender-based violence is complicated. This violence includes: physical violence, "Eve teasing" or sexual harassment/molestation, kidnapping and trafficking, horrific acid attacks, violence over dowry disputes, wife-battering, punishments according to Fatwa, murder, rape, gang rape, and much more. State intervention towards preventing violence against women has been inadequate to date.

Although the government has signed different international conventions and introduced special laws to protect women and children, it has ultimately failed to provide adequate security for them. As a result, women and children become the victims of brutality in Bangladesh. Bangladesh still has a long way