Getting rid of misogyny

We limit our suggestions about addressing violence against women including rape and depriving women of their basic rights to only punishing the offenders. We know the reasons why some of such incidents of violence and crimes against women take place but somehow refrain from going deep into the issues. We don't list the root causes of violence against women in society, neither do we identify why a man does so.

What is more important in this regard is the outlook of male-dominated society towards women. All men know that women are their mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives, but still many do not show respect to women. The problem is called misogyny and in many societies people with such mindset are shamed.

Amid the recent uproar, especially, the worldwide #MeToo movement, the Oxford University Press has reportedly updated its dictionaries' definitions of the word "woman". This is a corrective measure that would definitely influence millions. We in Bangladesh need to address some issues of terminologies relating to women and their rights and bring changes in social behaviour.

Nazrana Khan

Gendaria, Dhaka

[email protected]