Changing our patriarchalways

There is a mismatch between reports of women's empowerment and violence against women in Bangladesh. We have reasons to be encouraged by the presence of more women in different kinds of workplaces but, sadly, sthere is hardly any field where tthey can work smoothly. Let's admit that the women are trapped in the shackles of masculinity, so much so that even most mothers give more importance to male children.
So, society has the greater challenge of elimination of patriarchal behaviour towards women. Despite having good policies on paper, it is hard to implement them in order to ensure rights and priveleges of and respect for women. Rather, women, girls and even female children are being victims of abuse and violence. All cases are not even reported as women fear social stigma.
In such circumstances, people of all walks of life need to want change for improving conditions of the women. Justice must also be done to create confidence and atmosphere of equality in society.
Joynul Hoq
JagannathUniversity, Dhaka
[email protected]