On 29th May 2025 (Thursday) at 3:00 PM, a human chain was held in front of the National Press Club, organized by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, to protest against violence and discrimination towards women, the obstruction of women’s freedom of expression, and communal violence.
The event was presided over by Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad. Maleka Banu, General Secretary, delivered a speech. Solidarity messages were given by Farzana Akhtar Rumi, representative of BLAST, and Samapika Halder, representative of ADAB.
Dr. Fawzia Moslem stated, “The state’s policy should be to suppress the wicked and nurture the virtuous. However, alongside the chaotic situation in the country, law and order have severely deteriorated. Women’s freedom of expression is being obstructed, creating a suffocating environment that hinders women’s progress and sustainable development goals.”
She highlighted recent communal attacks and emphasized the need to ensure equal rights and security for minority communities as citizens. She called for unity among all citizens to safeguard the country.
General Secretary Maleka Banu said, “Women today realize that not all changes are beneficial. Women are continuously harassed in public spaces. Suppressing women’s freedom of expression, mob violence, harassment incidents, and the increasing efforts of certain groups to confine women reflect the state’s regressive stance on women’s empowerment, jeopardizing their achievements.” She urged everyone to stand against this backwardness.
The human chain was attended by representatives from BLAST, ADAB, Trade Union Centre, and other organizations, along with central committee leaders, secretaries, officials of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, and print and electronic media journalists. The program was moderated by Jana Goswami, Director of Advocacy and Lobby at Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
