Women's security in Bangladesh has reached such a perilous state that heinous crimes like eve-teasing and sexual harassment to some extent have become normal in the eye of this male-dominated society. In fifty years of independence, we have failed to make a safe and secure society for women. The state may have limitations to edify the society but some organizations have dedicatedly worked for social change. One such organization is Bidyanondo Foundation, notably known for ‘One Taka Meal’. This charitable organization has come forward for women's safety and established Bashonti Nibash, One Taka Hotel, the first women-only hotel in Bangladesh.
The first women-only hotel in Bangladesh: Background story
Besides innumerable abusive occurrences towards women, a specific bad experience of a Bidyanondo’s volunteer encouraged the founder of the organization to build a low-cost and safe residential hotel facility for women in Dhaka.
Ensuring women's security was the main motivation to establish this hotel, says Tahmina Akhter, In-charge of Bashonti Nibash.
The first women-only hotel in Bangladesh by Bidyanondo has been able to attract both in-need and middle-class society women due to its low-cost accommodation and adequate safety facility, believes Tahmina Akhter. She also confirmed that the Bidyanondo foundation has a plan to set up more branches in the future.
“We have a variety of clients. They come here for College/university admission purposes, for a job interview, medical purposes, or maybe for personal work. On an emergency basis, finding a suitable and safe place to stay overnight in the city of Dhaka is always difficult. Keeping that in mind, our main objective is to provide women a better place to stay for one or two nights,” says, Tahmina Akter.
Bashonti Nibash One-Taka Hotel: Location and facilities
Situated on the third floor of House-13, Road-B/2 of Pallabi R/A, Mirpur, the Bashonti Nibash hotel started its journey on international women’s day, 2020. The hotel is under CCTV surveillance, fire extinguishers and other security measures are being ensured. The hotel provides cheap accommodation and includes air-conditioning, laundry services, book vending machines, Wi-Fi, and a study zone.
Bashonti Nibash wants student admit cards of exam or bus ticket for booking purposes (if someone doesn’t have NID). As for job seekers/working women, per night rent is Tk.199. For adults, national ID card is required for hotel booking.
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Initially, they used to provide food at a minimal cost but now there is no such facility. Everyone has to arrange their own food.
Due to the scarcity of space, this residential hotel for women specialized in medium-sized bunk/capsule beds, in which 36 women can stay in 16 bunk beds. For interior decoration, they have used famous people's pictures and quotes to ensure a pleasant vibe at first glance.
Approximately 300 guests have stayed at the Bashonti Nibash to date despite being closed for three months due to the COVID-19 outbreak, confirmed Tahmina Akhter, in charge of the hotel.
Bashonti Nibash Female-only Hotel: Major Policies
The following are the major policies of Bashonti Nibash. The rules have been updated on March 4, 2021.
1) Everyone must submit their national identity card and remark the specific reason for arrival. Action will be taken according to the law if any false information is provided.
2) No illegal substance can be carried.
3) Tk. 500 will have to provide security money at the time of check-in and will collect the money from the reception before departing the hotel. Security money will be forfeited if anything in the hotel is damaged or the rules are not followed.
4) Guest have to arrive at the hotel between 8 am to 6 pm. If go out in any need, you have to inform the authorities and give entry every time.
5) Check-out time is between 7 am to 12 pm.
6) Luggage must be submitted to reception if it's larger than the medium size. We check the bags of the guests at the time of entry and exit to avoid drugs, weapons, or any illegal items entering the hotel. The organization is not responsible if valuable things are lost.
7) Security cameras are installed in the reception and dining space for safety. If anything suspicious is found, the officer in charge must be informed.
8) If you have the intention to stay for 1 day or 2 days, Please refrain from washing or wetting your clothes
9) You have to arrange your water and food. Refrain from sharing food with anyone else.
10) Tidy up your discarded clothes and used objects. Use a waste-bucket to dispose of dirt.
11) Perform prayers in specific places and keep maintain mutual respect.
12) Maintain silence. Use the dining space to talk on the phone.
13) Prevent water wastage, keep the toilet clean and dry. Avoid putting hair in the basin, dispose of sanitary pads in designated dustbins.
14) Refrain from using electricity unnecessarily.
15) Not allowed to cook anything in the canteen room kettle. It is prohibited to keep water and food inside the capsule.
16) Bed number cannot be changed without permission and necessary items must be kept in a certain locker.
17) Put useful shampoo, soap, toothpaste in the right place.
18) The lights of the common space will be off after 10 pm, if necessary, you can turn on the lights of your own bed. In that case, no other guests can be disturbed because of your gossiping and noise.
19) AC will be turned on at 8 pm and AC will be off all day from 6 am.
20) No male relative of a guest is allowed inside the hotel. If necessary, he can sit in the reception room subject to permission.
21) Shoes should be kept in the right place, shoe shelves should be used.
22) Talk to the in-charge in case of any need
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Bottom Line
Everyday working women and female students face many obstacles in the capital city of Dhaka. Hopefully, the first women-only hotel in Bangladesh by Bidyanondo Foundation, Bashonti Nibash would inspire the affluent of the society to set up more exemplary initiatives and will play important roles in women empowerment.