Protecting girls from maniacs

AT a time when the nation's womenfolk are making strides in almost every sector of life, the alarming rise in their being sexually humiliated is highly troubling. The extent of these harassments reminds many of savage societies in the exploitative feudal times. Women of the lower classes were deprived in those days of their minimum rights to a tolerably passable community life. Becoming victims of objects of lust and forced sex was part of the reality during the period.
Unfortunately, assault on young women and teenage girls still prevails in many so-called civilised societies. In the poorer countries, especially those torn by wars and civil strife, small girls turn out to be the most vulnerable. The most horrific aspect of the episode is that teenage girls continue to fall victim during peacetime in many such countries. To our great chagrin, Bangladesh has lately been found on its way to emerging as girl-hostile country. The most revolting part of the matter comprises the fact that the little girls are not safe in their schools. Of all persons, it is a section of school teachers who are pouncing on their girl students. Another disgusting part of the malaise is the direct involvement of the very head teachers in the unconscionable crime. All these stand against the backdrop of the progresses made by primary and secondary-level girls in academic and extracurricular activities.
The scourge has long been found besetting both the urban and rural areas. In recent times, distressing reports are coming in increased intensity from the villages and suburban areas. In these areas, things have taken such a grim turn that girls are showing reluctance to go to school. According to media reports, a section of these so-called headmasters are so powerful that the general teachers keep their mouths shut. They mostly avoid implicating openly the head teachers in the crime. Of late, it was only after the intervention of a high official in the district administration that a depraved headmaster could be brought to book.
Rape incidents and sexual violence, followed by killings, are now rampant. The fast contamination of the Bangladesh society with the ailment of paedophilia is a recent malady. Whom should the general people turn to for remedy? The think-tanks and rights bodies are holding seminars on the topic regularly. Newspaper columns and television talk-shows find the menace a burning issue to discuss. No redress looks to be in sight. Only the framing of stringent laws and exemplary punishment for the criminals can help stop the scourge. The nation has miserably failed in its task of protecting its girl children from sex maniacs.

Suraiya Tanvir
Banani, Dhaka