Nurturing resilience in girl children to build a safer future
As we rejoice and appreciate the growth of women-focused ventures, like female-only transport services in Bangladesh, we should also raise questions about why such initiatives are needed.
Clearly, the public transportation system of Bangladesh still has room to improve in creating a safer environment for women. It is a common issue for women to face harassment and abuse while using the public transportation system nationwide, especially in Dhaka.
According to TIB (Transparency International Bangladesh), 35.2 per cent of female bus passengers in Dhaka tackle some form of harassment, with higher rates on city buses (42.6 per cent) compared to inter-district (21.3 per cent).
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Such situations are not isolated, and they reflect a broader issue in our society where women are not safe and encounter significant risks to their dignity and safety.
According to Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, violence against women has surged by 27 per cent last September alone. On top of it, cybercrimes have also become a persistent challenge and target women with blackmail, doctored images, and online abuse.
For a long time, women have shouldered these burdens silently, especially due to the fear of stigma and shame. But, now, we must change the narrative by instilling resilience and confidence within our daughters, especially from an early age. Remember, parents and school play a crucial role in this journey.
It has become mandatory for families to encourage open conversations about safety and equip our daughters with the courage to speak out against any form of harassment. Parents must reinforce that their daughters are not alone in facing these challenges and they have every right to stand up against any kind of mistreatment. More importantly, parents must teach their sons to respect women.
Besides parents and families, schools should also empower young girls. We have introduced Taekwondo as an after-school programme, and martial arts can do more than build physical strength.
It has the power to instil mental resilience and a sense of personal security. Through such programmes as martial arts, our daughters will attain the skills to protect themselves and gain the confidence to support others, too.
Beyond self-defence, educational institutions should also provide counselling and mentorship, helping students to navigate societal challenges confidently. At the school, we can serve as a safe space where our students can learn about respect, consent, and boundaries while understanding the importance of shaping a safer and more equitable society.
Schools should also offer after-school programmes for girls and community members in the neighbourhood on how to pre-empt situations where violence can be inflicted and how to prevent them.
For instance, our school has introduced such initiatives a few months back and has already started seeing its impact on girls' morale and people's attitudes. Schools should also train all students in first-aid. Women in the community must be encouraged to form self-help groups to seek and offer help to each other, especially during a crisis period.
Remember, empowering girls requires a collective effort of schools, families, and communities. It also means that we need adequate laws to protect women and raise public awareness to fight harassment.
With the help of educators, parents, and policymakers, we must help our daughters grow into resilient women who know their rights, worth, and feel safe to express them. By nurturing resilience and confidence among women, we can create a future where they will not only feel safe but thrive in every sphere of life, free from fear and full of potential.
Dr Shivananda CS is the Principal at Glenrich International School Uttara
