May 14, 2025
Women’s March for Solidarity: Our Collective Call against Discrimination and Violence
The women of Bangladesh have called on all of us to unite on May 16. Even after the fall of the autocracy through a popular uprising in 2024, many things have remained unchanged. Along with numerous instances of injustice and lack of judicial and administrative redress, women have continued to be targets of violence and open harassment in public places. With the recent publication of the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission report, we have noticed a concerted effort to dismiss it as unacceptable. Aspirations for dignity and justice are being presented as “irrational.” We reject this politics of dishonesty and malice. Such propaganda is encouraging violence and disrespect towards women of different religions, classes, professions. We have also noticed government inaction towards our demands and it has not taken any meaningful steps against the recent rise in very public instances of harassment and violence against women. Despite our persistent calls for accountability, the state is yet to take any effective action. Right at this moment, we need national unity, vigilance, and our vocal stand. Regardless of any differences of opinions, identity, affiliation, everyone must understand – this fight is not ours alone, this struggle is for the future and existence of Bangladesh.
The goal of the March for Solidarity is to raise awareness about the protection of women’s rights, to create public engagement beyond any type of extremism and reaction, and to ensure government and state accountability when it comes to women’s and other marginalized people’s rights. An even bigger goal is to show we, as women and people from marginalized communities, are not alone. We may not march everyday, but we are here, and our everyday struggles continue. We will keep fighting for our well-deserved rights, because as human beings we all deserve equal rights and equal dignity and we are entitled to them.
We have organized the Women’s March for Solidarity through the collective strength and effort of women from all walks of life and different backgrounds. Women without any institutional or political affiliations have joined us, as have women with a long history of fighting for women’s rights as part of women’s organizations, human rights workers, journalists, university faculty and students, and professionals. Also with us are people from diverse backgrounds – women, Indigenous communities, people from different religions, Dalit women, dis- and differently-abled people, homemakers, domestic workers, garment workers, sex workers, tea garden workers, non-Bengalis, hijra and gender diverse communities, and many others. Faced with increasing attacks, discrimination, and injustice, as like minded women with shared values we felt the urgency to unite to organize this march. We are organizing the Women’s March for Solidarity through our joint and voluntary effort and crowdfunding. We appreciate all the support we have received so far and welcome those who have expressed solidarity and we hope all of them and you will join on May 16.
We believe that in a democratic Bangladesh, the main constitutional spirit will be equality and dignity. Standing on this land, we announce that – everyone has a right to live with equal rights and equal dignity. Not discrimination based on identity, but respectful coexistence should be our future. We are here – and we will persist.
Date: Friday, May 16, 2025
Time: 3 pm
Location: Manik Mia Avenue (in front of the National Parliament)
-Organizers of Women’s March for Solidarity
Contact:
Tabassum Mehenaz, Barrister-at-Law, 01743024348
Marzia Prova, 01323969119
Email: moitreejatra@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/995101376165066
Instagram: Moitree Jatra (@moitreejatra) • Instagram photos and videos
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 