A human chain protest program was held on 2 February 2026 at 3:00 PM in front of the National Press Club, organized by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, in protest against violence targeting minority communities and unacceptable remarks on women.
The program was presided over by Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad. Speakers at the event included Maleka Banu, General Secretary of the Central Committee; Shima Moslem, Joint General Secretary; Adv. Masuda Rehana, Joint General Secretary; Rekha Saha, Legal Aid Secretary; and Rehana Yunus, General Secretary of the Dhaka City Committee.
Following the human chain, a march was held from the Press Club to Paltan intersection. Slogans raised during the march included: “Stop the use of obscene language against women,” “Stand united against communal violence,” and “Stop the use of religion in politics.”
In her presidential address, Dr. Fauzia Moslem stated that during the upcoming election period, the scale of violence faced by people in Bangladesh—regardless of religion, caste, class, gender, or identity—is unprecedented in the country’s history. Although the Election Commission has set a code of conduct for political campaigns prior to voting, political parties are subtly using violence in their campaigns. She emphasized that derogatory remarks against women during election campaigns constitute a clear violation of the electoral code of conduct and questioned the Election Commission’s response to such violations.
She further said that instead of focusing on gender differences, women’s mobility, behavior, or attire, greater importance should be placed on leadership qualities. Protecting women’s rights and dignity must be prioritized. She also called on leaders to clarify what concrete steps they would take to prevent child marriage and violence against women. Highlighting that Bangladesh’s existence is intrinsically linked to the Liberation War, she urged everyone to collectively resist all conspiracies against it and to move forward together to establish democracy and justice in the country.
General Secretary Maleka Banu stated that over the past one and a half years, the people of the country have waited anxiously for an election in the hope of democracy—an uncertainty fraught with fear. She said that the growing uncertainty, violence, and instability surrounding the election raise serious questions about the sincerity, accountability, and capability of the interim government’s Election Commission. These concerns have been proven true by the daily incidents of minority persecution occurring across the country. A climate of fear is being deliberately created ahead of the election.
She added that violence against women has reached an alarming level, accompanied by a continuous stream of degrading, disrespectful, and unacceptable remarks about women. Anti–Liberation War forces have become increasingly powerful and are attempting to erase women’s achievements. They seek not only to confine women to the home but also to halt women’s progress altogether. Such groups persist in making unconstitutional and unacceptable statements against women’s rights, dignity, and political, economic, and social empowerment. Viewing women merely as objects of consumption, they aim to subordinate them once again. She called on women across the country, as well as all citizens, to remain vigilant against these misogynistic forces and expressed hope that the Election Commission would ensure a secular and democratic election.
Other speakers referred to recent attacks on minority communities and assaults on cultural expressions, noting that incidents of violence continue unabated. They questioned what these events signify and whether, after 54 years of independence, the country is being pushed back toward a barbaric medieval era. Speakers also stated that despite women’s significant contributions to the national economy, there are ongoing attempts to push women back into the home—an effort that women will never accept. “We are women, and we must be accepted,” they said, emphasizing that women are not merely women but full citizens of the country. Violence against marginalized communities in the name of elections is unacceptable. They stressed that everyone must take a stand from their respective positions to stop persecution of minorities and to resist derogatory and demeaning behavior toward women.
Representatives from Trade Union Center, Dhaka YWCA, Green Voice, Bohnishikha, leaders and members of the Central Committee and Dhaka Metropolitan Committee of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, officials, editorial members, and journalists from print and electronic media were present at the program. The event was moderated by Jana Goswami, Director of Advocacy and Networking at Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
