Fisher Man

Written by Taufiqa Farzana

A fisherman is he who lives by catching and selling fishes. Generally a fisherman lives in a village near a river or a sea. He catches fish in the rivers, seas and ponds etc. Fisher men work by day and night. Many fishermen go to catch fish at night. Sometimes the night remains dark, cold and stormy. Fishermen are often seen making new nets. Most of the fishermen are poor. They can’t buy new net. They use old net by sewing. They have no boat. So they work in groups. Sometimes they take nets and boats on rent.

The life of a fisherman is very risky. They often go to fish at night in the big rivers and seas. During the stormy nights the members of their family remain anxious for safe return. Fishing is a challenging and interesting profession. When they catch a lot of fish they become very happy. Some times they cannot catch more fishes. Then they become very sad. They catch fish and sell to the market. In this way they earn money and buy their foods. They live a very simple life.

Ending Domestic Violence: local-global

by Dr. Kathryn Ward

Since 2005, I have hosted a website of resources on domestic violence in Bangladesh (in Bangla and English) as well state by state resources for South Asian women in USA.

Website address: www.siu.edu/~narijibon/DADV.htm

Many women and men in Bangladesh know little of available resources due to lack of information even though Bangladeshi women experience some of the highest rates of domestic violence in the world (see Ruchira Naveed's [ICDDRB] and others' excellent work). Many women do not want to discuss their struggles and abuse outside of their families.

Knowledge of Bangladeshi and USA resources is very important because Domestic violence (and other forms of violence) travel with migrants and back and forth. Given the transnational locations of many family members, the survivors may be in one country while the abusers move back and forth; and abusers’ families threaten the survivors’ families (esp in Bangladesh).

Recently the Daily Star reported on a Bangladeshi woman (Nadine) who is fighting for her life in New York city after her new husband, blogger-writer, and Columbia university lecturer (Sajid Huq) allegedly beat and raped her. She called the police who arrested Sajid on rape and abuse charges. Her abusive husband's elite family is threatening her family with false cases. More recently many prominent Bangladeshi women's organizations and leaders have protested the continued harassment of Nadine and her family and called for justice in Bangladesh and USA. Another blog provides insights and pictures from survivor Nadine. Some have organized on Facebook a group to provide Justice for Nadine! while others are speaking up and writing to challenge the victim-blaming anti-Nadine activities of the abuser's, family, and friends who have posted misinformation on these websites!

These adamant denials, reprisals, and harassment against an educated woman from an elite family show the continued need for more education and activism against violence against women in all contexts and classes. Many women know when they speak up and refuse to be abused or file charges, that others will step up their abuse of the woman and her family to keep them silent and/or in their place or drop charges. Or com/promises to behave are made and the cycle of abuse continues some times even to the woman's severe injuries or death. If this can happen to an elite women, what is a poor woman to do?

At least, the USA has laws against domestic violence and rape that an immigrant woman can use if she knows of them and/or trusts the police, while Bangladesh still has no specific laws against domestic violence despite many meetings, networks, and donor dollars. Meanwhile, the results from USA immigration laws-policy on migrants seeking asylum in USA from abusive partners who hold their spousal visas have been so-so, even though abused women can seek a visa in their own right (please contact a shelter program near you in USA for more information). At the same time, the abused woman was supposed to report promptly her abuse to the local police in USA, but many women do not trust the USA police and/or do not know of any options. Further, in 2005 and onwards, I have learned that many USA and Bangladeshi organizations did not have one another’s contact information to share information about laws and programmes. I have continued to share these resources over time, for example, the excellent links on Adhunika's domestic violence post.

I hope to update the article resources soon. I would appreciate any comments, updates, as well. These resources were developed as part of my research-work in Bangladesh with Dr. Rifat Akhter (who developed USA resource list), Dr. Mahmuda Islam (who visited many USA locations and informed my Bangladesh work), and Mr. Saiful Islam (who has visited many NGOS working to end domestic violence in Bangladesh and co-wrote and translated the English-Bangla brochure).

Bhalo thakben to all the brave women and men who are working to end violence against women, children, and men!

(also cross-posted on Bideshi Blue)

Afsana Pervin- a Successful student of Nari Jibon organization

Written by: M. G. Rabbany Sujan

I am Afsana Pervin and I am about 30 years old. I studied up to class-12. I am married and I have two sons. My elder son is 9 years old and younger son is 7 years old. Now they are reading in the school. I was working as mere a housewife before coming at Nari Jibon organization. I came at Nari Jibon organization to see its sign board. I was interested to learn English and Computer course when I took admission at Nari Jibon.

I took admission at Nari Jibon dated 24th March 2005. After taking admission at Nari Jibon I started to learn English and computer. I completed English-1.0, English-1.5 and English-2.0 (Spoken English). I was very weak in English from my student life. But after taking admission at Nari Jibon, I became much develop in English.

After completing English-1.5, I started to learn computer Ms. Office program (Ms Word, Ms Excel, Access and Power Point). Later I also took knowledge on computer hardware and graphic design courses.

After completing graduation, Afsana Parveen was receiving certificate from
Nari Jibon Project Director Kazi Rafiqul Islam

Nari Jibon gave me a scope to take skills for long time. As I was weak in English and I had to do house hold works, I needed enough time to learn English and computer. I participated for about two years at Nari Jibon English and computer classes. So, I got enough time to do more exercise which helped me to learn everything well.

Last March, 07 I joined in an established private school and college named Genius school & college as accountant & admin officer. There I operate a computer to prepare many documents. My salary is held 4000 taka. Now I am going to my workplace regularly beside my household works. I am happy in this sense that now I am able to contribute financially in my family. I am very pleased to Nari Jibon organization as it helped me to change my life.

Eid Celebration with My Friends

Written By: Mohtarimun Nahar [Bipa]

Hello readers, Eid Mubarak to all. Eid-ul-Fitar is a holy festival for us. I am Mohtarimun Nahar [Bipa]. I have two best friends. They are Kanta and Muna. In every year I celebrate Eid with my family and relatives. After three/four days I celebrate Eid with my friends. This Eid was special for us. Because we, the three friends had same results in Masters [we got first class]. So, we have decided to celebrate our Eid at the outside from our home.

From left, Me With Muna at ‘Boldha Garden’

Kanta & I at ‘Boldha Garden’

On 18th October, 07 the sky was very cloudy. In the morning it was raining heavily. Then we got afraid that maybe our plan will be canceled. But we didn’t cancel our plan. We don’t know, next year where we will be. So, anyhow we will have to get together on that day. Then we left our home in the rain and got together at a shopping complex. There we decided to go to the ‘Boldha Garden’. There are many kinds of trees and a beautiful lake. We sit there and spent some hours together. We took some pictures to one another. Always we don’t get time to spend together. Cause we all are doing jobs. That’s why we always try to enjoy together all the festivals, like: ‘Pohela Boisakh’, ‘Pohela Falgun’, any Fair, one another’s birthday etc.

At 3:00 o’clock we went to have lunch in a restaurant. We had there ‘Kachchi Biriani’ and ‘Borhani’. It was great to have these in a rainy day. After having lunch we decided to visit at any ‘Temple’ to watch ‘Sharodio Durga Puja’ [The Veneration of Hindu religion].

Then we went to ‘Shri Shri Kali Mondir’ and ‘Shri Shri Ram Shita Mondir.’ There we spent time for 30 – 40 minutes and took some pictures there.

From: Shri Shri Kali Mondir

From: Shri Shri Ram Shita Mondir

From: Shri Shri Ram Shita Mondir

We had a great fun for 7/8 hours. We really enjoyed a lot. We hope all the time we will remain as best friend as present. To me without a good friend our life can’t be full-filled. I am very lucky and proud to have them, Kanta & Muna as a best friend.

The Prosperity of Life

Written by Tahmina Akter

If you are a sympathetic man,
You will be successful in your life.

If you love and help to helpless people,
You will get blessings from GOD.

If you are a truthful person,
You will be famous in the world.

If you want love,
Then you will have to love to all the people of the world.

If you want to remain forever,
You will have to be honest

If you are kind to others,
You will prosper in your life.

If you can make happy to all people,
You will be happy in your life.

If you are a noble man,
You will be popular in the world

If you help people,
God will help you.

Eid Mubarak

Eid Ul Fitar (the Feast of Fast Breaking) or the festival of fast breaking is the biggest Muslim festival. Eid is from the Arabic word ‘oud’ or ‘the return’ to signify, well the strength and the endurance to observe the return of Eid each year. Eid-ul-Fitr (Id al-Fitr) is linked with the Holy month of Ramadan. It means the end of the month of fasting (the first day of the month of Shawwal). Fasting or Roza starts at sunrise and lasts awaiting sunset. During this time no food or water is eaten or drank. The main theme behind Roza is to understand the difficulty of the poor and pledge to live a more significant and meaningful life. Prophet Mohammed said, "if a person observing fast does not shun untruth, his having given up eating and drinking is of little value. Such a person starves for nothing. And those who rise in the midnight to recite prayers but do not give up untruth and evil deeds, lose their sleep for nothing."

‘Fitr’ means a donation. It is given away to the poor and the needy people during Ramzan. Fitr is a must for every Muslim and each member of the family must contribute 1.75kg of wheat and 3.5kg of barley rice. Fitr is distributed to the poor people so that they can take care of their needs and celebrate Eid with the rest of the community. This day, for Muslims all over the world, brings rejoicing and happiness. The rejoicing is not, however, at the departure of the month of Ramadan; it is the happiness which anyone feels after successfully completing an important task. The festival is significant as much for its timing as for its religious implications. It is celebrated after the fasting month of Ramzan (the ninth month of the Muslim year), on the first day of the Shavval month of the Hijri year (Muslim year). It is believed that the Koran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed in the month of Ramzan. Eid is a great day of festival for Muslims. The Eid day is enjoying for those who simply put on new clothes and wear perfume. Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in worship.

Nari Jibon staff and students will celebrate the Eid Ul Fitar. Nari Jibon office and Blog posting activities will remain closed from 12th October, 2007 to 16th October, 2007 on account of celebrate Eid. We will restart our Blog activities from 17th October,2007. Eid Mubarak to Nari Jibon blog readers, staff, students and the people around the world.

Special Eid greetings to Dr. Kathryn B. Ward, Katie Zaman, Pat and Bill Ward (celebrating 55 years of marriage this month!), David Sasaki, Masud Zaman, Zeenat Chowdury, Lindsay Greer, Sandy Rosencrans, Rezwan and all grantees of Rising Voices.

Mafia- A successful student of Nari Jibon Organization

Written by: M. G. Rabbany Sujan

After completing tailoring and Bangla courses from Nari Jibon organization, Mafia set up a home based tailoring business with here her one elder sister. They were making dresses, collecting dress making orders from their neighboring people. But in last August 07, Mafia and her elder sister contracted with a famous Panjabi factory. They only stitch these Panjabies and receive 20 taka per panjabi. They can complete sewing at least 15 to 20 panjabis per day beside Mafia’s garment job. Now they are going on well.

Mafia is working at her home based business centre

Mafia with her mother and her elder sister

Mafia was a student of Nari Jibon organization. She is 20 years old. She could not study at her early life due to poverty. She lost her father at her childhood. Her mother and elder sister somehow used to maintain their family. Her mother worked as housemaid and one of her elder sister worked in a garment factory. She grew up in very difficulties due to scarcity of money. She had to also work in the garment factory at her early life as a helper. Once she was fired from the garment factory due to young age. One of her elder sister who maintained their family fell in sick and gave up working in the garment factory. Then Mafia joined in a garment factory again and her younger brother joined in a grocery shop as a salesman. But she did not get promotion as she was illiterate. Their family used to depend on her and her younger brother’s small income. Her mother also became sick and weak. Later her elder sister started to work in a tailoring shop. Her elder sister is an expert tailoring master but she can not work long time at a stretch due to her sickness. Mafia and her younger brother were maintaining their family in very difficulties. Mafia’s elder sister heard about Nari Jibon organization from a field worker of Nari Jibon and she sent Mafia to the Nari Jibon office. After visiting Nari Jibon office Mafia was interested to learn Bangla and tailoring courses from Nari Jibon organization. But it was difficult to take these classes from Nari Jibon office instead of earning money. She informed her situation and expectation to the Chairman (Dr. KBW) of Nari Jibon organization, who had seen Mafia coming to the office during her lunch break in the garment factory to study Bangla. Then Mafia got a great chance to take skills from Nari Jibon organization. She used to receive 3700 per month and she used to learn and Bangla and tailoring skills from Nari Jibon organization without any charges. Mafia got scope to learn skills and received money for 9 months. In this period she completed Bangla and Tailoring courses. As she had to pass whole office time in the training centre, she got more time to learn these skills. After completing her course and she was able to read and write Bangla, some easy math and English. She was also able to sew various kinds of three pieces, kid’s dresses, women dresses, fotua, Panjabi etc. Mafia was also able to save some money when she was receiving money from Nari Jibon office. She also received a sewing foot machine and some money to set up home based tailoring business. She bought an electric/ plain sewing machine for her younger sister. After completing her course from Nari Jibon office, she set up home based tailoring business with her elder sister. But it was not easy task to earn more running home based tailoring business. Then she went to take a job in a garment factory. This time she got easily a job in a garment factory as an operator as she was not an illiterate anymore. And her salary was held 2500 taka excluding overtime money. Last month she earned 4000 taka including over time money. After completing her course at Nari Jibon, Mafia got married with a young man who is working in a marketing company as a salesman. But still now she is living with her birth family. Mafia is very grateful to Nari Jibon office as she was much helped to change her life.

The Royal Bengal Tiger

Written by: Sahana Akter Munia

Tigers are the largest members of the cat family. The Royal Bengal Tiger is the pride of Bangladesh. When we speak of wildlife, the first name that comes to our mind is ‘The Royal Bengal Tiger’. It is the national beast of Bangladesh.

The Royal Bengal Tiger was aptly named by the British as has been known to grow to a body length of more than 2m. It has extraordinary strength and agility. It has a life span of 16 years. It preys on deer, boars and fish stranded on riverbeds at low tide. A hungry tiger can eat as much as 27 kilograms in one night. You would be surprised to know that most tigers avoid humans. Tigress generally gives birth to litters of two to six cubs and raises them without any help from the male tiger. It is only in old age, when it has lost its physical agility and its canine fangs that it sometimes preys on workers in the area.

There are thought to be roughly 400 tigers remaining in the Sundarbans. It is interesting to note that no two tigers have exactly the same stripes.

Every year there are reports of people in the Sundarbans getting eaten by tigers, so the locals are terribly afraid of them and with good reason.

The Tiger is a magnificent, powerful, and courageous animal. Now-a-days it is found only in the Sundarbans. Once upon a time they would found in Sylhet, Chittagong Hill Tracts and the Madhupur Jungles. The Royal Bengal tigers also live in India and are sometimes called Indian tigers. About half of all wild tigers consist of Bengal tigers.

A Rainy Day of my Life

Written by Helen Sarker

I am Helen Sarker. I think rainy Season is the best season of all seasons. I would like to share a rainy day of my life.

One day I started my journey with my two friends to go to Nari Jibon Project. We are the students of Nari Jibon in English and Computer section. On that day the sky was very cloudy. Suddenly the rain started and we had already left our home. We were getting late for the class. We were looking for a rickshaw. But we didn’t get any. We were just walking and walking. There were water every where and traffic jam occurred on the road. The road became muddy. All of us got wet in the rain. The people were looking at us strangely. It was an embarrassing moment. After two hours we got rickshaw and entered in the class. Then we found, the class already had finished. It was a good experience for me. Cause in the rainy day I wished to wet in the rain. But I couldn’t if I remain at home.

Personally I like rainy day because on this day I can spare my time at home by listening music, watching TV, and reading story books.

Bangladesh has six seasons. Rainy season is one of those. It remains for Ashar and Srabon [Bengali Months]. Nature becomes clean and fresh in the rain. Many beautiful flowers bloom in the Rainy season. I like this season very much.

The Rainy Day

Written by Mahfuza Parul Tania

Pictures taken by Mohtarimun Nahar Bipa

In Bangladesh there are six seasons. Rainy season is one of those. It comes after summer season. On this day the sky remains cloudy. When the rain fall stars everything looks very beautiful. Trees get very fresh and look green. I like rainy day very much. Now I would like share with the readers about a rainy day of my life.

One day it was a rainy day. It was raining heavily since morning. On that day I sit quietly beside the window and I was hearing the sound of the pattering of the rainfall. I saw the trees and houses were bathing in the rain. Street people were running to get shelter from the rain. Some street children were enjoying in the rain and playing football. I wished to go to the street and play with them. But it was not possible for me. So I was to watch them only. But I was enjoying by watching them. Beside that I was hearing music.

After raining people feel so comfortable and the weather becomes fresh and cold. People like this season because they can get relief from the excessive heat of the sun. After raining sometimes we can see rainbow.

Rain is very useful for our agriculture. Our agriculture is mainly depends on it. If the rain comes in time, our farmers can harvest well. After raining all dirty things get washed. Everything looks very fresh and clean.

After raining the lands remain under water for some days.
These pictures were taken from Jamalpur after heavy raining.

Some time the rain creates many problems. Student can not go to school and college timely. People are to suffer very much. They can’t get any transport to go to their office. Traffic jam occurs in every where.

Rainy season is my favorite season. On rainy day I pass my time by reading story books, magazines; watching TV and hearing music.

Dreamy Days of My Life

Written by Sherin Sultana

To me the excellent days of a human life is the University life and the most favorite moment is when he passes time with his friends by gossiping. In the school & college life we pass the restrictive life from our family and get the pressure of home work from our teachers. We oblige to study against our mind. So in that time we never meet with the pleasure.

From left, Me with my friends

But the strange thing is from the first day of our University life, a fantastic feeling fill our mind and this thought make me happy. I invent myself once again to know about the unknown world as if it brings out me from the restrict boundary and set me as a matured human being into the whole world.

In the University life as we have so many opportunities to study in the same way. There we have all the arrangement to enjoy our lives. If I say about joy at first I must have to say about my friends. With the friends we can go to new places, eat together in any where, watch movies or go for a picnic. Friendship is only the main source to enjoy the all pleasures. It is a different life from our real lives. Various colorful dreams are always filled in our dreamy minds. In this way the days one after another fly away with the wings of butterfly.

My dreamy life will end very soon. I will miss my University life very much. That’s why if our classes declared close in any reason then I get upset.

I always try to make longer the feelings of the most beautiful days of my life in my mind. I can’t think about that day when I will have to leave the campus of my University. My eyes fill with tears when I think about that. It is so strange that after leaving the campus we can’t meet with the ever known faces. Some time may be we will contact on phone or meet anywhere.

In this way a dreamy chapter of my life will turn into end. And the Dream is always dreamy --!

Ruby Rahman- A Successful Business Woman

Written by M.G. Rabbany
Pictures & Video by Taslima Akter

Ruby Rahman (36) runs a handicrafts business. After the death of her husband she is running her business seriously. Now she has rented two roomed float at Malibagh chowdhurypara for their accommodation and factory. She appointed four young girls as her factory workers. She collected them from their village. She gives them training on handicrafts. She also provides them food, clothes and accommodation facilities at her own house e factory. These girls also can earn some money and they can send to their village. Their income depends on their production. Ruby Rahman and one of her sister in low named Poly (who also a student of Nari Jibon) jointly runs their business. They make mainly bags and show pieces by the clothes/threads and skin. At the beginning time she and her sister in low used to make bags for their known persons and that was very little. But after the death of her husband she expanded her business. Now they are supplying their production to the famous shops and markets in Dhaka city. Their latest production is mobile phone bag which have very demand in the market. Recently they are supplying their production in the Baily Road’s shops which are luxurious shops in Dhaka city. Ruby Rahman informed that they can earn average Tk. 12000 every month excluding expenditures. Ruby Rahman and Poly don’t spend their profits as they are increasing their cash. They have planned that in future they will rent or buy a large showroom in the busy market area.

From left, Firoza Begum Poly and Ruby Rahman at their workplace with their production

Ruby Rahman is painting

Ruby rahman lost her husband last year (2006). Her husband was a govt. service holder and then she worked mere a housewife. She gave birth to a daughter (16) and a son (12). Her daughter got married when her daughter was reading in class-9 and then she was only about 12/13 years old. Ruby Rahman learned handicrafts skills from Jatiya Mohila Sangasta with her sister in law. Then she had no plan but she used to make bags with her sister in law for their relatives, neighboring women and some known persons. In the meantime she took admission at Nari Jibon where her sister in law was taking skills on Computer, English and Business management. She took admission to take skills on English and Business Management courses. Ruby Rahman studied up to class-10. Lack of practice she was very weak in English. She learned English about five months regularly and besides she participated in Business management classes. She was taking these two courses same time. At the end of these two courses her husband had died and then she could not continue study. But she informed that she learned many things from Nari Jibon office and mainly she was motivated to run her business. She learned how to develop business, keeping documentation, justifying customer’s demands, supply, market analysis etc. Almost same time she used to sell her products among the students of Nari Jibon. At the beginning she started her business as her hobby. But at the departure of her husband she felt necessary to earn money. Now she and her sister in law are working hard for marketing their goods. Now they are maintaining their family smoothly and they are satisfied with their business income.

This video has taken from their working place and house.

Bangladesh is full filled with many Natural Beauties

Written by Nurunnahar Islam Munni
Pictures taken by Mohtarimun Nahar [Bipa]

Bangladesh is full-filled with many natural beauties. She is very beautiful in every where. The vast Bay of Bengal is situated in the South of Bangladesh. The Meghna river is situated in the East. Green trees, birds chirping, yellow corn crops etc make our mind fulfill. Green trees fill up our eyes and birds chirping fill up our ears and mind.

Every day we wake up by hearing birds’ chipping. The natural scenery of village draws a general picture of thrilling. A little Jonaki Poka [one kind of insect that has natural lights in her body] helps us to see our way in the bamboo garden in the dark night. Our eyes are charmed to see many natural beauties all around us. When we go near to the Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, Cornofuly rivers then our mind become fresh and we forget all of our sorrows. The water lily blooms in the canal. White Lily is our national flower.

The local area of the East is decorated by tea gardens. A large number of green parrots come to these tea gardens and that makes the scenery more beautiful. Specially the guest birds make the scenery more beautiful. The Seasons get changing after every two months. During the summer season the whole nature remains ‘kha kha (Heated badly by sun light). The village people suffer a lot in summer season. During this time the thousand of juicy fruits are found in our country. People can fill their mind by eating different kinds of juicy fruits. Like;-Mango, Jack-fruit, pine-apple etc. After the summer season the rainy season comes. In the rainy day, some girls wear blue sharees and they remember their favorite person. In the rainy day the village farmers get together to gossip. The girls sew Nokshi Kantha (traditional blanket) on their own mind. They draw their hidden dream in this Kantha. All village old men and women pass their time by gossiping. After the rainy season, the autumn comes with a fine and clear sky and the sheuli flowers. All time the white clouds remain in the sky in this season.

In the late autumn the villagers get rashi rashi [a plenty of] golden paddy in their houses.

The villagers arrange a party for getting new crops. This party called as ‘Nobanno Utshob’(Festival of foods made by new paddy). In this party the villagers welcome their neighbors and guests by chira, murri and many kinds of pittha (home made cakes). In this way they celebrate their ‘Nobbano Utshob’. After this season the winter comes with the dew drops and trees without leaves, various kinds of pittha (home made cakes) and date juice etc. when the dew fall on the grass and the morning sun light shines on it; it looks like diamonds. The spring comes with cuckoo’s singing. Many flowers bloom in this season. I think all people like the spring season. It is called the king of the seasons. In every season Bangladesh is been decorated by different natural beauties. To me Bangladesh is the most beautiful country in the world. I love my country very much.

Two Students of Nari Jibon have Started a Business

Written and Pictures taken by M.G. Rabbany (Sujan)

Ten to fifteen years ago it was a rare case to see the women as businesswomen in the market of Dhaka city. Day by day we can see many changes in our society. G.O, N.G.O and women education make the women aware and involve them in various activities/ sectors. At present women don’t work only in their house or office now they work out of their houses too. Now women are running their business in the market, on the busy roadside and through the crowded area. Now they don’t work only under the veil, now they work like a male person. Previous days we only found some saleswomen in the shops of brand companies or their husband’s shop. But now we can see some women are running their business independently (though it is poor number in up to date). Like this two young Nari Jibon students have started a business shop at Khilgoan Chowrasta Moshjid Market.

Sultana Begum and Jannatul Ferdouse are classmates of Khilgoan Model College and Nari Jibon Project. They are also intimate friend. They both are reading in class-14 at Khilgoan Model College. Sultana took knowledge from Nari Jibon on English, Computer Ms Office Program and Hardware. Sultana also completed courses on Business Planning & Management from Nari Jibon. Jannatul Ferdouse took course on English. They are almost same aged (21-22).

Last August, 07 they have started a business jointly. They have rented a shop at Khilgoan Chowrasta which is situated near their college. They have decorated their shop very nicely. They have invested total at taka 1, 42,000/- for their business. They have to pay at taka 2000 per month as the shop rent. They sell various kinds of things for women, men and kids. Modern dresses, show pieces, hand make bags and other handicrafts etc are found in this shop.

Sultana Akter (Right) and Jannatul Ferdouse (left) are in their shop.

These bags are made at their home and now these are sold in this shop.

These bags are collected from the students’ (Poly and Ruby Rahman) of Nari Jibon
and these are sold in this shop.

Their shop is situated near their college and so good numbers of customers are their classmates and friends. Various kinds of cosmetics, show pieces, gift items and bags are found in their shop. They are also selling EID Panjabi as an EID special item.

The name of their shop is “Rongin Tara Fashion and Boutique”.
It means Color of Stars Fashion and Boutique.

Rahela Akhter Lima’s third death anniversary: has this brave young woman received justice?

On September 24, 2004, Rahela Akhter Lima’s suffering ended after nearly a month of unimaginable pain after her assailants left her for dead and then came back to torture her some more. She was a strong-willed garment worker-housewife aged only 20 years from Savar. Today marks her third death anniversary.

Has Rahela received any justice after three years by the arrests, convictions, and exemplary punishment of her assailants? Has her death and suffering made women safer in Bangladesh? Or like many other sensational cases, has Rahela been forgotten except by her near and dear ones after the initial stories and demonstrations in August and September 2004? Are her assailants still roaming freely around the streets of Savar, Jahangirnargar University, and Dhaka?

During that long month, she survived long enough to bravely name two assailants, Linton and Delwar—former college classmates--and two other miscreants—Akash and Kabir-- who took her belongings, raped her, slit her tendons and cut into her spinal cord, and left her in a Jahangirnagar University garden on 22 August. They returned on 24 August and found her still alive; they added further insult to her injuries by pouring acid on her! After three days and two nights of suffering, a gardener found her and police took her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where she struggled against infected wounds, severed spinal cord, and paralysis until she died on 24 September.

As often occurs, despite her mother Rokeya filing a case with Savar thana, the accused men absconded, and Liton reportedly disappeared into India. Police arrested only his brother who had helped him escape. During September, many women’s and labor organizations in Savar and other locations protested violence against women, recent rapes of garment women workers, and in particular, the gruesome treatment of Rahela and that her attackers continued to roam freely (Mahila Parishad, Karmajibi Nari, Ain-O-Shalish Kendra, Samajtantrik Mahila Forum, Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik Jote, Nari Sramik Jote, Sammilita Nari Samaj, Bangladesh Legal Services Trust, and National Garment Workers Federation among others. After a 25 Sept 04 Daily Star article, no further articles appeared on her case or reported any progress on apprehending Liton and others. Rahela’s case seemingly disappeared among the articles on the September and October floods and monsoon rains as have many other cases of violence against women since then.

Given the ongoing violence against women, these organizations moved on to protest other cases and lax law enforcement. Speakers and researchers from the One-Stop Crisis Centre reported that garment workers and students are particularly vulnerable to such assaults, sexual harassment, and eve-teasings as they move about from home and work. Ironically, these women are the future and earners of Bangladesh, but still face the dangers of the streets going to and from work and school.

Despite the monthly litany of newspaper reports and clippings on violence against women in Bangladesh by various women’s and advocacy groups, who is conducting any follow up or monitoring these cases? Who is monitoring the police, prosecutors, and justice for the victims and punishment for the eve-teasers (whose actions have led to suicides among their targets), domestic abusers, rapists, and murderers? Will Rahela and any of her forgotten departed sisters ever receive justice?

Today and other years, I remember her courage to name her assailants, her strong will to live despite her injuries, and extraordinary struggle and sacrifice as I work to end violence against women, children, and men. I hope that her soul has found some peace.

Note: By Dr. Kathryn B. Ward, Professor of Sociology-Women's Studies, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, IL USA. This piece has been based on English newspaper clippings from August and September that I collected while in the USA waiting to go to Bangladesh for my Senior Fulbright Fellowship and to conduct research on women workers and violence against women. (clippings from New Age, Daily Star, New Nation, among others—available on request). Rahela’s story touched me very much. When I left USA on 22 September 2004 Rahela was barely alive. She died some time during my journey to Bangladesh.

also crossposted on bideshi blue