Domestic Violence

In rural Bangladesh,domestic violence has been an every day issue since time and history.News coverages are made and reports written in an earnest attempt to raise mass awareness to bring down the number of cases of domestic violence.Yes,in the years,the media has played an integral role in breaking the culture of silence and played a leading role in portraying brutal stories of domestic violence in rural as well as urban Bangladesh.In certain occasions,we have also seen active engagement from the civil society demanding justice to be provided to the victims.For a change,people have started to realize that 'silence hides violence.'However, even though there's so much we have achieved as a nation,there haven't been adequate improvements in the condition of women in our societies.Literacy rates for one thing have gone up,we have maintained a stable economic growth despite political unrest and various socio-economic problems, our garments industries have earned global recognition,the number of university graduates passing out each year and joining the workforce have increased and so have the number of doctors,lawyers,teachers,engineers in the society.On the other hand,everyday news of violence against women is primarily about domestic violence.And due to poor low enforcement services and a culture of remaining silent, thousands of cases remain unreported. Today, domestic violence has reached a state that will only worsen if we do not take immediate measures that seek a social reform at a state level.

What does 'development' in a country mean when we still can't treat our mothers,daughters,sisters and wives with respect,honor and dignity? Can development only be measured in terms of gaining global recognition or in terms of how many expensive cars are seen on the streets of a country? Before we can call ourselves truly civil and independent,shouldn't we know where the end is to the utter misuse of human lives? Shouldn't we be able to provide justice to all those victims of domestic violence,survivors of rape or acid throwing who have lost the meaning for life and are either handicapped,bedridden or victims of social stigma?
A qualitative research conducted by ICDDR,B concludes that 60% of 3,130 women of age 15-49 years in rural and urban Bangladesh have reported cases of physical or mental abuse by their husbands due to reasons such as domestic disputes,dowry,etc.So,we can only imagine how fast growing this problem is for Bangladesh at the moment.The case of Rumana Manzur,a Professor at Dhaka University,Bangladesh and a fullbright scholar studying in University of British Columbia being assaulted brutally by her husband caused as much turmoil in my mind as it did in the minds of hundreds other people and made me question the security of human lives in a society where men such as Ms Rumana's husband can only be compared to scavengers! In an attempt to punish Rumana,her husband has made her blind for life; a once bright and ambitious Rumana now only has a story of brutality and misery to share with the world that has treated her with injustice and cruelty.
Rumana's case has been highlighted by the electronic and print media.Press conferences,rallies and seminars were arranged demanding justice.But what justice can we provided to people such as Rumana who been ripped off all things sweet and meaningful in life? Yes,I hope everyone like Rumana still end up finding a reason to live,the strength to fight the world,the ability to speak out whenever their voices remain unheard.For the men-the supposedly "superior beings," I can only pity your inflated sense of superiority complex and I wish you all a quick mental recovery.

Here's a thumbs up for all the world's wonderful women-the victims of violence,advocates of peace...