On Sunday, June 1, female workers of the Tathya Aapa project were allegedly assaulted by police, primarily male officers, while marching toward the Chief Adviser’s residence in Dhaka to demand an extension of their employment under the government-run ICT-based women’s empowerment program.
According to a press release issued Monday, the peaceful demonstrators were blocked near the National Press Club, and again attacked near the Kakrail Mosque intersection. Protesters claim that male officers beat them with sticks, verbally abused them, and kicked them, including a pregnant worker who was allegedly thrown to the ground. Female officers arrived later and allegedly continued the physical assault. The workers have condemned the violent response, pointing out the state’s double standard: political rallies by men in the same area in recent days were not disrupted.
The Tathya Aapa project is run by the Jatiya Mohila Sangstha under the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs. Many of its workers have been appealing for job security as their contracts near expiration. The violent repression of their demands has sparked widespread concern over state violence and gendered police brutality.
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