Statement from Bangladesh Feminist Archives On the Death of Journalist and Graphic Designer Swarnamoyi Biswas
Bangladesh Feminist Archives mourns the death of Swarnamoyi Biswas, a young media professional and graphic designer at Dhaka Stream, whose body was recovered from a Dhaka hospital on October 18, 2025. Reports indicate that Swarnamoyi, along with several other colleagues, had previously filed a written complaint of sexual harassment against Altaf Shahnewaz, a senior editor of the organization. Her death has raised urgent questions about workplace safety, accountability, and the culture of silence and retaliation faced by women in media.
We are deeply alarmed by reports that the accused individual, Altaf Shahnewaz, was reinstated in his position instead of facing transparent disciplinary action. Such responses perpetuate a system that disbelieves and punishes survivors rather than protecting them. Feminist organizations and civil society have long demanded the full implementation of the 2010 High Court Guidelines on Sexual Harassment Prevention, which remain largely ignored by both public and private institutions.
The death of Swarnamoyi is not an isolated tragedy — it reflects the wider failure of media institutions to build safe, equitable workplaces. We call for an independent and gender-balanced investigation into the case, immediate public disclosure of Dhaka Stream’s internal inquiry process, and structural reforms to prevent further harm to women journalists.
Bangladesh Feminist Archives stands in solidarity with Swarnamoyi’s family, colleagues, and all survivors of harassment who continue to speak truth to power despite institutional intimidation. We remind all media organizations: silence and inaction are complicity.
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 