Politics Desk

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has announced a five-point agenda aimed at enhancing women’s safety in public spaces, workplaces, and homes. The initiative was detailed in a post on his verified Facebook page on [date], highlighting measures the party intends to implement if it comes to power.

Tarique Rahman emphasized the urgency of addressing harassment and violence against women, stating, “If Bangladesh is to move forward, our daughters, mothers, sisters, and colleagues cannot live in an atmosphere of fear. Every day, too many women face harassment, intimidation, bullying, and violence simply for speaking, working, studying, or trying to live freely.”

He added, “This is not the Bangladesh we dream of, nor the future our young girls deserve.” He also noted the increasing influence of the digital world, observing that opportunities for women are expanding, but so are the associated threats. “Sometimes my wife and I find ourselves realizing how different today’s world is for our daughter compared to the days we grew up in. Like many parents and citizens, we feel both hope and worry,” he said.

The five priority measures outlined by Tarique Rahman are as follows:

1. National Online Safety System: Establish a rapid-response mechanism for reporting cyberbullying, online threats, impersonation, and data leaks, supported by a 24/7 hotline, online portal, and trained responders. Partnerships with major digital platforms aim to strengthen moderation in Bangla and ensure abusive content is promptly removed.

2. Protection Protocols for Women in Public Life: Implement clear national guidelines, rapid legal and digital support, and confidential reporting channels for women working as journalists, activists, students, or community leaders, ensuring no woman is silenced for participating in public life.

3. Digital Safety Education: Integrate practical digital-safety training into school and university orientation programs, appoint trained teachers as ‘safety focal points,’ and conduct annual awareness campaigns to help young people navigate the online world confidently.

4. Stronger Community Response to Violence and Harassment: Develop community help desks, improve street lighting, enhance safety of transport routes, and provide trauma-sensitive responders to make everyday life safer and more predictable for women.

5. Nationwide Push for Women’s Leadership and Participation: Expand leadership training, mentoring networks, and access to childcare in schools, offices, and workplaces to enable women to contribute fully. Tarique Rahman emphasized, “When women rise, the nation rises with them.”

He concluded by urging collective action across political, religious, ethnic, and gender lines, stating, “A Bangladesh where women are safe, supported, and empowered is an unstoppable Bangladesh.”

The announcement reflects BNP’s focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment as a central component of its political agenda, signaling policy priorities that encompass legal protections, education, digital safety, community infrastructure, and leadership development.