A group of Dhaka University female students demanded the abolition of discriminatory evening curfew and right to free movement across the campus.
They raised these demands under the banner of Oborodhbashini during a press conference held at the Madhur canteen around 4pm today.
They presented three demands including abolishing discriminatory evening curfew in female halls (10pm to 6am) immediately and ensuring 24-hour unrestricted movement along with overall security for all female students; allowing female students to enter any female hall upon showing a valid ID card and stay overnight with proper permission; ensuring the rights for all female relatives to enter in the halls.
Before that, the students also submitted a memorandum regarding the matter to the vice chancellor of the university under the banner of "Boishommohin Nari Hall Chai" on 27 July.
Speaking at the press conference DUCSU member Hema cakma said, ‘Although DU promises equal rights, free pursuit of knowledge, and unrestricted movement for all students regardless of gender, the reality is entirely different. Within the university's existing rules and administrative structure, female students are subjected to gender-based discrimination.’
Previously, the students drew protest graffiti in different women's halls and set up booths in halls and faculties, collecting more than 600 signatures along with numerous stories of students' sufferings, mentioned in the press conference.
The students said the signatures collected by Oborodhbashini will be formally submitted to the Vice-Chancellor on 6 August. Before submitting the memorandum and signatures, a comprehensive human chain will be held on the university campus.
At the same time, the university administration will be given a 1–2 day ultimatum to implement the students' legitimate demands.
Organizing secretary of Biplobi Chhatra Moitree of DU unit, Israt Jahan Imu, said that at present, around 57% of female students at Dhaka University are deprived of accommodation facilities. Despite paying regular fees, non-resident female students are not allowed to enter their own halls. Under the pretext of security, restrictions on entry at night have resulted in harassment, humiliating questioning, and administrative harassment of female students.
When asked about the security concern, Sima Akter, a leader of Chhatra Federation said, “DU makes instance for across the country. If the autority can’t ensure security for women in DU, then what about the women of rural area.”
They called upon teachers, representatives of political, social, and cultural organisations, journalists, as well as all resident and non-resident female students and conscious students to attend their programme and ‘make this movement to break the chains imposed on female students a success’.