BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday said Bangladesh cannot move forward unless women feel safe both online and offline, calling for urgent national actions to protect and empower women in the digital age.
“Women must feel safe. Both online and offline, at home and in public, in their personal lives and in their professional journeys,” he he said in a post on his varifed Facebook page.
Tarique shared the message on his 61st birthday, posting it along with a photograph of himself with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their only daughter Zaima Rahman.
“It is undeniable that the digital world now shapes every part of our lives, from our daily routines to the way nations engage on the global stage. The speed at which technology has transformed both the world and Bangladesh is something none of us can ignore,” he said.
Tarique said he and his wife often reflect on how different today’s world is for their daughter compared to the one they grew up in. “And like many parents and concerned citizens, we feel both hope and worry. The opportunities are greater than ever, but so are the threats.”
“If Bangladesh is to move forward, our daughters, mothers, sisters, and colleagues cannot continue to live with fear,” he observed.
The BNP leader said every day, too many women face harassment, intimidation, bullying, and violence simply for speaking, working, studying, or trying to live freely.
“This is not the Bangladesh we dream of. And it is not the future our young girls deserve.”
He called for a national online safety system to allow women to report cyberbullying, threats, impersonation and leaked information quickly and easily.
“This would include a 24/7 hotline, an online portal and trained responders, while partnerships with major digital platforms could help ensure faster removal of abusive content in Bangla,” Tarique said.
Tarique Rahman calls for childcare plan to empower women
He also emphasised the need for strong protection measures for women in public life, including journalists, students, activists and community leaders.
Tarique said no woman should be pushed out of public participation because of fear.
The BNP leader wrote that digital safety education should be introduced in schools and universities so young people can navigate the online space with confidence. Trained teachers could act as “safety focal points”, supported by nationwide campaigns to raise awareness.
At the community level, he said, safer transport routes, better street lighting, help desks and trauma-sensitive responders could make everyday life more secure for women.
Tarique also called for a nationwide effort to increase women’s leadership by expanding mentoring networks, providing leadership training and improving access to childcare in workplaces, schools and offices.
“When women rise, the nation rises with them,” Tarique said, adding, "Whatever our politics, religion, ethnicity, or gender, one truth must unite us as Bangladeshis: A Bangladesh where women are safe, supported, and empowered is an unstoppable Bangladesh.Let us work together to make that future a reality, for our daughters, and for the generations yet to come,” he said.