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Then there are so many laws installed, but where is the implementation? Why are we so slow in putting into operation what we have made official? For example, there has already been a mandate to establish a sexual harassment committee at every institution, but how many have actually complied with the establishment?

My point is, since we have already moved five steps forward – it is about time we take five more steps.

LS: An equal world is an enabled world — What does it mean to you?

HH: For one, I have certainly not seen an equal world as of yet. In my own life, I have had to face small cases of discrimination during my childhood, even though I came from a very progressive family. And while working for Ain O Salish Kendra, I met so many women, especially from the slums, who face scrutiny on a daily basis. They don’t even know who or where to turn to!

But things have slightly improved today, with the advent of numerous women organizations and BLAST (Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust), women can now share their experiences, and get help.

LS: How can the media help?

HH: Cover more about these subjects — voice your opinions and continue to see the ends to a pressing topic. Find out who the perpetrators are, and why they are carrying out harmful activities. Assess the psychology; try to change the archaic culture that leads to filth and mental degradation.

LS: Today women are included in the board-rooms; they are becoming top level executives and CEOs. Does this signify as progress to you?

HH: Gender equal boardrooms represent a certain class. To assess real progress, we must find out the representation of women workers in the trade unions. What say do they have in these associations? A board-room representative is just one person, while grass roots level employees are many. Therefore, a true representation of progress is indicated by the advancement of the latter.

LS: Collective Individualism, a catchphrase of the 2020 IWD celebrations. What does it signify?

HH: I will be a little sceptical here. Of course, the fact is when people work together, they go forward in leaps and bounds. In our country’s perspective, we see that the men come together to promote an agenda. But the same is not true for women. There’s also collective effort from people of the same class, but almost none between the classes. So, this definitely has to go a long way before a true representation takes place.

LS: As a forthright human rights activist who has been vocal for such a long period of time, what would you say are your major frustrations?

HH: We have certainly come ‘forward’ in ratifying conventions. But there are so many details that are written in these conventions that need to be implemented. Rights of the constitutions — right to life, right to work. In terms of expressing thoughts, we have certainly been successful, but why the lag in implementation?

Domestic violence is still very high. Where is the solution?

The government cannot even help in these regards because sometimes, it is beyond the scope of laws and regulations and more about the ingrained archaic culture.

LS: Do you have any solutions in mind?

HH: Challenge the system, the culture, and etch out smart ways to deal with difficulties. For example, women face abuse when they ride public transport. But this usually happens when a lady travels alone. So why not travel in groups to prevent harassment. And this is perhaps the case with ‘women’ garments workers. They move in groups whenever they have to travel.

Then there is a significant role played by the media: encouraging the society at large to take the help of the various human aid organisations in the country, asking the victims to make use of the governmental ‘one stop crisis centre’ and many other legal aid organisations and hospitals available in the country.

You have to speak more about it and write more about it. You are actually doing that here, aren’t you? And I guess that is what progress is all about.

By Mehrin Mubdi Chowdhury

Photo: Hameeda Hossain/Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Model: Dayyan, Rania, Anaya