Editorial
If there is no consensus on reform, which path will reform take?
Bangladesh had set out towards the formation of a new state through an unprecedented mass uprising. The very first issue that came up after the uprising was the urgent need for restructuring the system of governance.
Rape, viral video, and a few questions
Many Bangladeshis could not sleep properly last night after watching a horrific video. The video is of a raped woman. Her cries have shaken the whole of Bangladesh. It is as if the entire country has been stripped bare. After the video went viral, people across the country came to know that this barbaric incident took place in the Muradnagar upazila of Cumilla. The incident had occurred on Thursday night, 26 June. On Friday afternoon, when the victim filed a case at the police station, the police launched an operation.
Changes in Parents' prespective a must to prevent child marriage
Marriage is an important chapter in our social system and is also considered as a sacred bond. But child marriage is a bane for any society. Although several improvements in public health and maternal health are visible in our country, the rate of child marriage cannot be cut down significantly. Bangladesh still has the highest rate of child marriage among Asian countries which is harmful for maternal and child health. Despite the authorities formulated laws and policies to stop child marriage, the situation is still concerning due to lack of awareness and implementation of proper laws.
Bangladesh must break free from ‘lobbying trade’
It has long been said that nothing gets done in Bangladesh without lobbying. From getting a job to hospital admission, school enrolment, transfer, promotion, tenders, business registration—everything in this country requires lobbying. Be it a government or non-government institution. It is heard that even a peon’s job today is not obtainable without lobbying. The higher the position, the bigger the task, the higher-ranking the official one must approach. As a result, maintaining good relations with MPs, ministers, and senior government officials to secure lobbying has become a long-standing trade for a certain class of people in this country.
From Gaza to Iran: We hear cries of people
Just two weeks ago, the eyes of the entire world were on Gaza. All around there was rubble, the cries of bloodied children, the wails of refugees. People, having lost their homes, were fleeing toward unknown destinations. Children stared with helpless eyes due to lack of food. Their gaze repeatedly questioned our conscience. Bombs were even dropped on those shelters where the helpless sought their last refuge for safety.
US attack on Iran: Violation of international law is unacceptable
The Iran-Israel conflict has clearly turned into war with the involvement of the United States. Since the Israeli attack on Iran, US President Donald Trump had been threatening Iran, giving it a two-week ultimatum. However, even before the two weeks were over, US B-2 warplanes launched a devastating attack on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Not only Iran, but also Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, Chile, Lebanon, Cuba, and Oman have strongly condemned and protested the US attacks. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also expressed concern over the incident. Tehran has stated that this is clearly a violation of international law, which is in no way acceptable.
Prohibit marriage to rapists legally
The practice of marrying rape victims to their rapists has become a tragic cultural distortion in Bangladesh. In many cases, to avoid legal consequences, the rapist and his family propose marriage as a settlement. The victim’s family also agrees, in an attempt to protect the woman’s honour. But far from being a happy union, such marriages often lead to continued abuse, separation, and even murder. Numerous accounts and evidence show that in most cases, after marriage, the husband neither maintains contact with the woman nor accepts their child, and whenever the chance arises, his first move is to drive the woman out of the house. At that point, the woman is left with no way out.
Stop sale of antibiotics without prescription
Antibiotics are a type of life-saving medicine. However, if used incorrectly or indiscriminately, antibiotics can also cause severe harm to the body. The misuse of antibiotics is most prevalent in the underdeveloped countries of the world. And Bangladesh ranks at the top of this list. This is because many people in Bangladesh, especially those with low income, often purchase and consume antibiotics from pharmacies or local markets without consulting a doctor. They have no idea that this leads to their bodies becoming resistant to antibiotics.
Ensure safe migration for female workers
Due to poverty and lack of earning opportunities in the country, countless Bangladeshis migrate abroad every year in search of earnings. In recent years, the number of female workers going abroad has also been rapidly increasing alongside male migrant workers. These female workers mainly travel to the Middle East to work as domestic helpers. However, these migrant women workers are subjected to various forms of physical, mental, and sexual abuse on a regular basis.
Let doves of peace fly in the sky, not missiles
The current crisis between Iran and Israel is largely rooted in history. Renowned psychologist Sigmund Freud once said that wars of this nature continue until one side completely annihilates the other. So, will they not stop until one side is utterly destroyed?