Stalking and suicide

We often hear girls committing suicide being victims of disgrace, harassment and stalking. Rukaiya Akhtar Rupa, a 15-year-old Pirojpur girl, was one, who reportedly committed suicide after she had been harassed by some miscreants. Many girls in different parts of the country are silently suffering from stalking and harassment, and apparently there is no remedy to stop such abhorrent acts. However, actions are taken only if the incidents are made public and there is a public outcry. So, we think, every police station should have a cell with representation of women and lawyers to handle such cases so that young girls can lodge complaints and seek justice and security. There should be a campaign through education and the media, apart from creating strong awareness about the issue in each family. In fact, all males should come forward to make sure their mothers, sisters and daughters are safe in the society.

Rumana Sharmeen

Dhaka University, Dhaka