Dowry System in Bangladesh

By Nurunnahar Islam Munni

Bangladesh is a development country. In this country there are many kinds of unpleasant customs. Dowry is the most common unpleasant custom of those. It creates many problems. It is against the success of our country.

Through this custom the bride has to give a large amount of money, furniture, ornaments and many things to the bridegroom. It is a very terrible situation for the society. Women & their family suffer a lot for this dowry system.

I think poverty, illiteracy, narrow mentality, negative attitude to the women, dependence on husband and living on their income, social corruption etc are the main cause of dowry. Some time bridegroom wants money to do business or want to make his life settle with that money. In the village if brides are not beautiful to look at or if they get late married then they are to give a lot of money as dowry to the bridegroom.

It is a much unexpected situation for the bride’s family members. They are to collect a huge amount of money for their daughters’ or sisters’ marriage. Sometime they are to take loan, sell their lands, furniture, ornaments and even their own house to collect the money. They are to lose many things and face many problems for this dowry system.

We saw that women are tortured when they can not give any money to their husband. Some time we hear and see in the newspaper that some women are killed, some are hung and some are burnt by their husband, in-law’s family members and others.

For this dowry system divorce, doing suicide, mental and physical tortures, number of broken family are increasing day by day. It is also affecting on the new generation. They can not give attention in their education; can not contribute in any development activities. It hampers their mental development.

This custom is very disgraceful for our country. So we should try hard to remove this system from our country. There are some laws to remove it. But we can not apply them properly. We have to try to use these laws properly. There should be more steps on women’s right in our Law system. We should change our outlook, mentality by our Law rules. Narrow mentality of the greedy people should be changed and a hard punishment should be given to them.

But good thing is that, at present our Government is aware about it. Therefore this system is changing. In the past it was so high in our country. Now we have a law that who will give dowry and take dowry--- all will be known as a criminal. So if we stop giving dowry then I think that this system will be end soon.

Bloggers profile (Students)

Salma Akter

"I am Salma Ater. I am 26 years old. I was born on 30th June 1980 in Dhaka. I have five members in my family. They are my father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, my husband and my only son.

I passed Secondary School Certificate in 1995 and Higher Secondary Certificate in 1998 and B. Sc Degree in 2000. My favorite place is Cox’s Bazaar. Listening song is my hobby.

I informed about Nari Jibon from one of my relatives. Now I am a student of Nari Jibon in computer and English.

I knew about blogsite for the first time after coming at Nari Jibon. It’s a new part of our life and it’s a very interesting subject too. Through this blog site we can share our culture and peoples life to other countries. As a new writer I am trying my best to write something.

The most important part in this organization is the Nari Cyber Café. That is only for girls and women. They can practice their learning lessons and browse here. I am really happy to be a part of Nari Jibon Project. "

Nurunnahar Islam Munni

"My name is Nurunnahar Islam Munni. I have five family members in my family. They are my brother, sister, my parents and I. My birth place is Dhaka. I was born at Malibagh Chowdhuripara.

I passed Secondary School Certificate in 2007. Now I am doing Higher Secondary Certificate. Beside this I am doing computer and English course at Nari Jibon.

My favorite place is my native village. My hobby is reading any kinds of books and traveling in any historical places. In future I want to do business.

Nari Jibon is a nice organization. Here women and girls can develop their alternative skills to make their lives established. The blogsite is a new and interesting topic for me. I try to share my thoughts, culture, and natural beauty with other people and countries through the blog writing.

Here we have a Nari Cyber Café. Only women and girls can use this Cyber Café. Students can practice their learning lessons in their free time and can browse Internet. I like it very much and browse here if I get free time."

Bloggers profile (Students)

Nina Sultana Mim

"My name is Nina Sultana Mim. My date of birth is 29th October, in 1989. I was born in Dhaka city the capital of Bangladesh. My father’s name is Md. Abul Kashem. He is a Government Service Holder. My mother’s name is Nasima Akter Shima. She is an ideal housewife.

I passed Secondary School Certificate in 2005 from Magbazar Girl’s high school and Higher Secondary Certificate in 2007 from Ispahani Girl’s High School and College. Now I am going to admit myself in BBA.

Laksmipure is my favorite place. It is my home district. It is a nice village. “Haymonty” written by “Ravindronath Tagore” is my favorite book. My favorite movie is ‘Padma Nadir Majhi’.

Listening music and reading story books are my favorite hobby. My future plan is to be a Charted Accountant.

I was informed about Nari Jibon from one of my friends. I came here with her. Now I am doing English spoken and computer course from here.

When I came here then I did not know about blog. It is a new and very interesting subject for me. Now I submit Bangla and English poems, stories etc for blog. As a new writer I am trying my best to write."

Rumi Akter

"I am Rumi Akter. I was born in Narayongong. I passed my childhood at Narayongong. My birth day is on 3rd November, 1990. My father's name is Rahman Ali. He is dead. My mother's name is Rahima Begume. She is a house wife. We are two sisters and one brother.

I am a candidate of Secondary School Certificate. My village is my favorite place. My hobby is watching any kind of movies.

After finishing my education, I would like to be a banker.

I was informed about Nari Jibon from my sister. I love Nari Jibon because I didn't know anything. Now I know how to use computer, internet, can speak in English, knew about Blog and many other things after coming in Nari Jibon.

At first I took admission in English-1 class in Nari Jibon. Now I am doing English-2 and computer course here.

I had no idea about the blog before coming here. When I had come here, then I knew about blog. It is very interesting topic. We can share our culture, lifestyle etc with other countries. I am trying to share my culture and people of my country with the other countries."

Bloggers profile (Students)

Asma Akter

"My name is Asma Akter. I was born on 7th July, in 1982. I was born in the district Modhupur. I passed my childhood in Modhupur. I have eight members in my family. They are my mother, father, four sisters and two brothers.

I passed the Secondary School Certificate from Khilgaon High School in 1998 and Higher Secondary Certificate from Khilgaon Girls’ College. I finished my B.A. from Shidheshwary Degree College. Now I am doing Masters in Abujor Giffary College.

I visited to many places in Bangladesh. Among them I liked Cox’s Bazaar the most. I like to read books in my free time. Shomoresh Mojumder is my favorite writer. Humayun Ahmed is also my favorite writer. In future I want to be a writer.

I am a student of Nari Jibon. It has many activities. Nari Cyber Café is one of them. There women and girls can practice computer and browse internet in their free time.

In my free time I used to write stories, poems etc. But I could not get opportunity to publish those anywhere. So after some time I stopped writing. But after coming at Nari Jibon, I knew about Nari Jibon’s blog site. I got a new hope to publish my stories, poems through this blog site. I am very happy for getting this opportunity."

Linda Pandey

"I am Linda Pandey. My family members are my father, mother and younger sister. My father’s name is Dulal Panday. He is a driver, my mother is a house wife and my sister is a candidate of Secondary School Certificate examination.

I finished my Secondary School Certificate and Higher Secondary Certificate from Barishal. Now I am trying to get admission in any University.

I like to read novel and story books in my free time. Shomoresh Mojumder and Humaun Ahmed is my favorite writer. My favorite color is pink.

After finishing my academic education I want to be independent in my life. I like banking as a profession. Therefore I will try to be a banker.

I did not know about Nari Jibon. After coming here I informed that it has Bengali Section, English section, tailoring section, computer section, photography section etc. Now beside my academic education I am doing Computer Office Program and English Spoken Course at Nari Jibon."

Bloggers profile (Students)

Sharmin Chowdhury Shikha

"My name is Sharmin Chowdhury Shikha. I was born in Dhaka on 21st January, in 1986. I have five family members with me.

I passed the Higher Secondary Certificate Examination from Siddheswary Girls College in 2003. Now I am reading in Honors 3rd Year on Accounting in Siddheswary Girls College.

My hobby is listening to music and singing songs. My favorite place is Cox’s Bazaar. After finishing my study I will do a job in any respectable bank.

I informed about Nari Jibon from one of my friends. Now I am a student of Nari Jibon in computer and English. I know about blog site after coming Nari Jibon. It’s a new part of our life and it’s a very important subject too. Through blog site we can share our culture and people’s life with other countries. As a new writer I will try my best to write something in blog.

Another important part of this organization is Nari Jibon cyber café. It is especially for women and girls. Here women and girls can use cyber café in a nice and safe environment. They can also practice here on their learning lessons. "


Jannatul Fardouse Nargis

"My name is Jannatul Fardouse Nargis. I was born on 3rd March, in 1989 at Boro Maghbazaar in Dhaka. I live at Maghbazaar from my childhood.

I have a Family with six members. My father is a Government Employer. My mother is a house wife. We are two sisters and two brothers. My elder sister is doing Honors in Economics. My younger brother is a student of class six. And my little brother is a student of class five.

I am trying to admit in a university. I passed Higher Secondary Certificate in 2007 from Shiddheswary Girls College in Dhaka and Secondary School Certificate in 2005 from Nazrul Shikshalaya in Dhaka.

My favorite place is my grand mother’s house. It is a village. It is a beautiful place. My favorite hobby is painting. I love to paint pictures.

My future plan is to be a B.C.S service holder. I also want to do social works.

I did not know about Nari Jibon Project. My neighbor gave me the information about it. Then I came with them to saw the project. After coming here I knew that Nari Jibon is only for women. It has Bengali Course, English Course, Tailoring Course, Computer Course and Photography Course etc. I had an interest do some courses. Therefore I have admitted in English Spoken and Computer Office Program at Nari Jibon.

I did not know about blog. But when I came to this organization then I understood about blog. I think it is a very interesting subject. I am very happy to be a part of this organization."

“Give me an Educated Mother; I will give you an Educated Nation”

By Nurunnahar Islam Munni

It is told that, education is the backbone of any nation. Without education none can prosper in life. Nobody can live a happy and successful life. But most of the time girls can not continue their education for many reasons. Therefore they become dependent on men and they are to face many unexpected situations.

Educated girls can lead her life with a good planning. They get physical and mental satisfaction than uneducated girls. She knows how to enjoy life and keep a happy family.

I think that educated girls are different from other girls. If girls become educated they will be conscious about their rights. Then they will be able to conduct their life in right way.

An educated mother can maintain her family and teach her children properly & give proper guidance. She can be very conscious about her children’s health and nutrition. She is more conscious about her family than an uneducated girl. Therefore it is told that “Give me an educated mother, I will give you an educated nation”. So girls’ educations are not necessary only for herself or for her family, but it is also necessary for the whole nation.

Girls are learning in Nari Jibon English class

She can go ahead with men. She can remove superstitious of her family members by her wisdom and knowledge. She can provide better care for her family.

She can do job and can help her family financially. Day by day the living cost is increasing. So it is becoming tough to maintain a family on one’s income. An educated girl can do job and can help her family financially, better than an uneducated girl.

So we can say that if we can get an educated mother in every family, we will be able to give an educated and healthy future for the new generation.

I am in Myself

By Sherin Sultana

I live in Dhaka for my necessity. But I can not forget my village even for a moment. When I get any vacation I go home and pass my vacation very cheerfully. So all time I look forward very willingly for any vacation, to go home.

Now a day my mind is not good because I returned from my home some days ago after passing my vacation. It’s not a new matter. Every time after returning from home my mind becomes very sad, for some days. After some days I become easy.

In my vacation I went to my home. I got back all my happiness and joy when I went near to the closest persons of my family. It seemed to me that I found myself but I was not in myself before. There I passed all days with my younger brother. I visited to one’s another’s houses. I also passed my time by singing songs, gossiping with my family members & with my friends and in every evening we went for a walk at the riverside.

I passed my time by gossiping and making fun with my pet dog Tuktuki, my pet cat Monti and Ponti (Monti’s child). The water, winds, trees even every bit of dust, every thing of my native place seem very close to me. I forgot that I will have to come back in the busy Dhaka city.

But I found a great change on me between the present and the past life, when I was at my home with my family. In the busy Dhaka city now I also became a very busy person like city’s people. I lost all of my wants, joys and laughs for being busy and having pressure of real life.

I am to stay in this city for my necessity and I am to compromise with many situations, but I can not accept those from my heart. When I get a single moment I go back to my own world, make dream with a new hope. I pass my every moment by waiting for the day, when I will be able to go back to my home.

A Journey from Dhaka to Baloakandi

By Mahfuza Parul

Last year some of my friends were decided to go to outside of Dhaka for a day. After discussing with my three friends we decided to visit a village, name Baloakandi. On 21 January, 2007 we went to the village Baloakandi. It is in the district of Munshigonj. That was our friend Shikha’s village. It was not far from Dhaka. It took only five minutes from Meghna Bridge.

We started our journey at 8.00 am by a private car. We reached at Baloakandi at 9.30 am. At first, we went to Shikha’s house. We were introduced to all the people of Shikha’s house. We gossiped and passed some times there. After taking our breakfast we went to visit the village.

There was a park near Shikha’s house. We went there and visited the whole park. The park was very nice. It was full of natural beauties. There were many trees in the park. We sat under a tree and gossiped for a long time.

From right me with my friends

We climbed upon a tree and took some photographs. In the park, there was a nice flower garden. In that garden, there were many beautiful flowers. We took many photos in the flower garden.

We went to other side of the park by crossing a small canal. There were only crops field around the canal. We plucked many cucumbers from the crop field. We ate those cucumbers as salad with our lunch.


At 5.30 pm, we started our journey to come back in Dhaka. We stopped our car beside the Meghna Bridge and passed sometimes beside the Meghna River. We took many photos on the bridge. The wild wind was blowing. We were enjoying lot.

When we stay at any river or sea side then it seems to me that every people’s mind becomes fresh and all the sorrows go away for some moments. So, when we were at the side of Meghna River then we forgot our all the sorrows, distress, the busy city life etc. We felt like a free bird in the enormous sky.


Shikha’s family members were very happy to get us. We enjoyed the journey and the place Baloakandi very much. We decided to make such journeys once or twice in a year. I wish we can keep our friendship forever.

Nari Jibon 2nd blog workshop /Training- January, 2008

Second workshop of Nari Jibon blog was held on Friday, January 11, 2008 at Nari Jibon. Mr. Shawn of Uncultured project (a former student of Notre dame and blogger of www.uncultured.com) was invited to conduct the workshop/training. Forty four students and fourteen staff attended the workshop. Trainer Mr. Shawn trained the students/staff (bloggers) how to take good picture, and video. He showed the rules of taking good picture and video. He trained the staff on podcast interview. He also shared his experience of visiting Cyclone Sidr affected area (showed picture and video).

Some of Nari Jibon English/Bangla bloggers sang a song ‘We shall over come some day” (both in English and Bangla). One computer student also recited her own writing poem on NJ blog.

Four students were selected and awarded as the best bloggers (Two from English and two from Bangla blog). They are Zannat Ara Amzad (The street beggar), Sherin Sultana (An anecdote of my friend, Mitu), Sufia Khatun (Protivar Bilupti- Abolished talent) and Nafisa Mobassara (Mayer dadur biye—Marriage of mother’s grand father). Three of them were given prize for their good post (one student/best blogger was absent).

Among staff Taslima Akter, Mohtarimun Naher Bipa and Golam Rabbany Sujan were acknowledged for their good effort in the blog activities (posting, Editing, Translation) and also for their good post. Taslima Akter was acknowledged for her video blogging and Video training, Golam Rabbany Sujan for nice post on Cyclone Sird and other good posts and Mohtarimun Naher Bipa for translating, editing and also for her good post ‘In south Asia, Bangladesh is one of the few countries that remain to be explored’. All others bloggers (students/staff) were also acknowledged for their good effort on Nari Jibon blog activities.

Mr. Shawn is briefing on Photo & Video blogging

Mr. Shawn is showing his video that he took from sidr affected areas.

One computer student is reciting her own writing poem on Nari Jibon blog.
Some Nari Jbon students are singing a song (Both in Bangla and English version).

Best blogger in English Zannat Ara Amzad taking prize from Director of Nari Jibon Project.

From left Sherin Sulatan (best bloggers in English), Mr. Shawn,

Nafisa Mobassara (best blogger in Bangla)

Jarina Begum: Who Makes & Sells Cake

By Nina Sultana Mim

Pitha [cake] is a traditional food of Bangladesh. Pitha is the most favorite food both in village and town of our country. It is very favorite food as breakfast in the winter morning.

Pitha is sold in many places in the city. Maximum women are done this pitha making business on the roadside of the cities and villages of Bangladesh. They make and sell pitha. Most of the customers are rickshaw pullers, CNG and Taxi-cab Driver etc.

Recently I have talked to a Pitha Nari. Her name is Jarina Begum. She makes and sells Pitha from morning to evening. She makes pitha by using smash of rice, sweets. She uses stove and a pot of soil. She sells Pitha in cheap price.

Jarina Begum told me that she tries to maintain her family by selling these Pithas. Her husband is a rickshaw puller. She has two sons and two daughters. They can not go to school for lacking of money. She passes her life in sorrow and poverty. She lives in a dirty environment with her family.
For their poverty they do not get fresh food, water and good shelter. Her children are also deprived from education, though education is the backbone of a nation. None can prosper in life without education.

She told me that her family members are suffering from malnutrition. She also told me that they suffer for flood, storm, mosquito, dirty smell and many diseases.

It seems to me that their position is very bad. Their life is very difficult.

She had also told me that she needs rice and sweets to make pithas which are very expensive to buy. She makes Vapa Pitha, Chitoy Pitha and different types & delicious pithas. When I was talking with her then I bought two Pithas. She was very happy to sell.

She also told me that: “Sister we have many sorrows; but there is none to realize our sorrows.”

After having the pithas, I found that Jarina Begum makes very sweet, delicious and wonderful Pithas.

One day with my Brother & Cousin

By Rumi Akter

Some days ago my brother and I decided to visit in Sonargaon with a cousin, Shumi. We went to the Maghbazar and bought three tickets from the Himalay bus counter to go to Sonargaon. We waited for the bus for sometimes at the bus station and when the bus came we started our journey to Mogar Para. My cousin sat beside me and my brother sat at other side.

When we reached at the Mogar Para bus station, we took a rickshaw to go to Panam Museum. It took some minutes to reach at the Panam Museum. I saw a big gate, which was so beautiful. My brother bought three entry tickets of the Museum.

In the left side of the entry gate, we saw a cart which was made of stone and in the right side there was an old building. There were kept many useful things. Besides the building there was a pond. There were two statues of two horses beside the pond, which were made of stone. Around the Panam Museum there was very large place.

At noon we took our meal in a hotel. After finishing our meal we visited the whole area. Then my cousin felt sick. My brother and I felt very nervous for her illness. She took rest for sometime. When she felt better then my brother told to return Dhaka. But my cousin wanted to stay there for more time. So we passed more time there. But we didn’t visit anywhere. We just passed our time by gossiping.

We started our journey to Dhaka at 5:00 pm. We were very excited. It was a great experience for me. We enjoyed our journey very much. I wish I will go to Sonargaon again with my brother and cousin.

Celebrated Friendship Day in 2006

By Kamrun Nahar

1st Sunday of August is friendship day. It is an enjoyable day in the whole world for friends. Most of the friend groups try to celebrate this day with a great joy. I also celebrate this day with my friends.

We are six friends in University. Every year we celebrate this day. But the most memorable and enjoyable friendship day we celebrated in the year of 2006. Then we were in honors 3rd year. That year we decided to wear same dresses. We had selected blue and pink combination dresses.

On the friendship day our friend Lina’s mother was very sick. So Lina could not attend the party. We were very upset and thought that we would not celebrate the day without Lina. But Lina requested us not to spoil the day. So at last we decided to celebrate the day.

On the friendship day we went to Dhanmondi by wearing same dresses and enjoyed the day very happily. Our friend group was a little bit different from other groups for wearing same dresses.

One of our friends Mimi increases our enjoyment by giving us very good news, that-- she is pregnant. Mimi was so happy and she wanted to give us a treat. Then we went to a restaurant and took our lunch. After taking lunch we went to a studio and took a group photograph.

In the afternoon we sat at Dhanmondri Lake for some time and passed the happiest period of my life.

We enjoyed the day and decided to celebrate all the friendship days of our life in this way, if possible.

That day we realized that we can’t live without one another. I wish we will be able to keep our friendship for ever.

An Interesting Story of my Exam

By Shanta Islam

It is an interesting story of my life when I was participating in Secondary School Certificate Examination in 2004. My first exam was English 1st paper. I went to exam hall with my parents. When I entered in the exam hall, my parents were waiting for me at the out side of the hall.

That was the first Board exam of my life. So I was very nervous and afraid. When the bell rang to start the exam, then we took our own seat. The exam started on time. We started our writing after getting the questions. At that moment I was very nervous. But I was trying to write well in the exam paper.

After one hour a police entered in the class room and stood in front of our class. He was searching some one by calling a name ‘Shanta’ again and again. I will not be able to describe my mental situation of that time, because he was calling my name, ‘Shanta’. My heart was beating very fast.

Though all of my classmates knew that I am Shanta, but they did not response. They did not want me to face any unexpected situation. My class teacher and the police were calling the name. Though I knew that I was innocent, but I was so concerned to response. Then the police requested our class teacher to find out ‘Shanta’.

After some time I stood up and informed that I am Shanta. I was waiting to hear any bad news or something bad. But I got very surprise when the police asked me very gently about my exam. Then he gave me a bottle of water and requested me to let him know if I faced any problem.

Then I could not understand what the matter was. Later I came to know that he was my father’s friend. At that time I forgot that my father is also a police officer.

The Problem is—‘I am a woman’

By Golam Rabbany Sujon

I am Afroza, age 16, when I used to read in the school my mummy used to give me company to go and returned from my school everyday. Now I read in a girls’ college but still now my mummy gives me company almost everyday when I go out side of our house. My elder brother is only three years senior than me but he goes to the school and college alone. How independent my brother is!

I am Rifat (17), I used to read in a school where we lived and I used to go to school alone but I returned with my classmates. One day I was going to school alone, in the street a young man said indicating me such a sentence which struck me and I cried out. That guy said that I am ripe, juicy and heavy goods etc. I became angry too and that’s why some people crowded. Then I was asked many questions by the people so that I was struck more and I cried out more.

My parents and brother did not allow me to go to the school for several weeks and later I started to go to the school by another way with my guardian. I started to use veil by the advice of my guardians and I walked in the street without looking all around. I just keep my head down when I remain at outside. Almost all the time my mother stayed with me when I used to go outside from our house. Still now I can not move independently or alone.

Now I read in a college my brother also reads in same college. My elder brother participates in various programs besides his study and he also participates in students’ agitation. He can come to the house anytime but my parents don’t scold him but if I don’t wear veil any day they scold me whether it may be very hot day. How independent my elder brother is!!

I am Meghla, age 15. I was reading in a high school and there was a college for higher education where male and female students study. It was before SSC examination a local naughty boy sent a love proposal and I refused his proposal and later he sent marriage proposal to my guardians by his guardians. But my guardians refused to give marriage with him and as a result being angry they threatened to kidnap me and made unexpected problem. It is mentioned that the family was more powerful financially and politically than our family. Then I had to stop going to school and I started to study at our home. I participated in the SSC examination under the control of my guardians. After finishing my examination I was sent to my maternal uncle’s house. I passed SSC examination successfully. Being happy with my SSC result my guardians made me admitted in a college in Dhaka. I am interested to go to the village but I can not go to the village. Now I come to know that my guardians are searching a suitable boy to give me marriage soon. My parents want to be free from danger by giving me marriage soon.

I am Surovi, age 17, is reading in a private Dental Medical College. My parents are also educated and they live out of Dhaka. Few months ago my parents bought a cell phone for me for better communication. I was introduced with a Dhaka University student by one of my classmates. Almost every late night he used to phone me and we talked for long time. Day by day we have become intimate friend but we used to communicate through mobile phone only. But soon one of my relatives knew about it and it became a rumor. Last month my guardians called me and seized my mobile phone. They also stopped my study and they did not allow me to come to Dhaka for study. But I would not get married that boy without my guardians’ permission or before completing my study. Now I am informed that my guardians are trying to give me marriage soon.

I am Sumi; age 22. I am the first of three sisters and one younger brother. My father maintains our family by his small earning with much difficulty. We (sisters and brother) could not continue our study properly due to financial crisis. I am passing time at my birth family and helping my mother doing some household works. Few months ago I took skill on tailoring from a NGO. I was very interested to earn money and to help my father financially. After learning tailoring skill I joined in a tailoring shop by the help of one of my relatives. Then my parents were not fully agreed. But I felt happy as I was able to earn some money though it was not good amount. But disturbance started when I had to work after evening (up to 9.00 pm) before EID ceremony. Then the shop owner took more emergency orders from the customers. At that time my parents prohibited going to the workplace and I had to stop to work. My mother said to me that women should not work outside of house after evening. Later I tried to make my mother understand by discussing our financial problem. But my mother said that, outside people would think bad and talk bad words if I work after evening. That can be affected on me and my younger sisters’ and brother’s marriage. After hearing that I became speechless and couldn’t understand what I should say. Still now I am keeping my silence.

I am Fency Rahman (30) joined last week in a private company. There are found few Rickshaws and one or two CNG scoters in the street near our office gate. But bus-stand is few minutes walking distance from our office. Seeing me some rickshaw pullers demand high fare and CNG drivers say his meter is damaged and demand high charge than the real charge. I am to use rickshaw or CNG as there is no alternative way and they don’t reduce their demand as they know I can not walk long time and I am a woman.

Last week in last month, one day I had no money in my hand and after office I went to the bus-stand on foot like other male staff of my office. But alas! I did not get permission to get up in the bus though every 15-20 minutes later bus was coming in the bus-stand. Before stopping bus, helper shouted “Empty seats available for Rampura-Badda-Uttora-Tongi but women seats fill up, please don’t get any women”. But male passengers got up in the bus forcefully but I failed to get up in the bus. I have heard this slogan everywhere in every bus-stand though there were no empty seats in the bus and male passengers were seated in the women fixed seat in very congested.
So, what can I do! Later I came at home by a Rickshaw as there was no way. I also had to think that I can not stay for long time in the bus-stop alone as known person could see me and criticize me.

I am Kulsum Banu, (25) got married six years ago with daily laborer (mason) who lived near our village. In the meantime I have given birth to two sons. Elder one is 4 years and younger one is one year old. My husband used to maintain the family by his daily income and he had no property except his small homestead and a cottage. Five months ago I took TK 5000 loan from a local NGO to earn some extra money by doing a small business. But one month later my husband came to Dhaka to work as a mason. Four months already passed but my husband did not contact with me. I was just informed that my husband was working at middle Badda in Dhaka. Every week NGO workers come to take installment and but I can not give. Other money lenders and NGO workers insult me. I have started to work in other families as a temporary housemaid and I am passing time with my children with extreme difficulties. I can not collect work in the village. My husband does not come and I don’t know his address. I want to go to him but my relatives don’t support me to go to Dhaka as I am a woman. Now what will I do? Suicide!!! I don’t know—I can not think.


These kinds of incidents happen often around us to the women. These are common incidents to the women’s lives and these kinds of problems don’t broadcast. Women bear these harassments silently. But how many days will they tolerate???

Bloggers profile (Students)

Kamrun Nahar

"My name is Kamrun Nahar. I was born at Khilgaon in Dhaka in 1984. My birthday is on 5th November. I live in Dhaka with my family. Now I am doing Honors in Sociology from Eden Women College, Dhaka under National University. I have finished my Secondary School Certificate in 2000 from Khilgaon Girl’s High School and College and Higher Secondary Certificate in 2002 from Siddheswary Girl’s College.

My father is a service Holder and my mother is a house wife. We are two brothers and two sisters. My elder brother and elder sister live in Italy. My younger brother is doing Higher Secondary Certificate. I have a happy family with six members. My hobby is reading story books. My favorite place is Cox’s Bazaar. My future plane is to be a Banker. I also want to work as a social worker.

I am doing English course in Nari Jibon. Nari Jibon helps women a lot to develop their skills. It’s a nice step to make women’s life successful. Women can get training here on different subjects, like—English Spoken, Computer Office Program, Tailoring, Hardware, Bengali etc.

Here we have a cybercafé where the women are allowed to browse only. We can practice here beside learning. To me Nari Jibon is the best organization for the girls and women. "

Farjana Huque

"I am Farjana Huque. I was born on 9th June, in 1985 at Khilgaon in Dhaka. I passed my childhood in Dhaka. I have finished School Secondary Certificate in 2000 from Khilgaon Girl’s High School & College and Higher Secondary Certificate in 2002 from Siddheswary Girl’s College. Now I am doing Honors in Sociology at Tejgaon College, Dhaka under National University. I have a family with six members. My father is a business man and my mother is a house wife. I have two brothers and one sister.

My hobby is traveling and my favorite place is Singapore. I want to establish myself. So I am doing an English course in Nari Jibon. Nari Jibon helps women a lot to develop themselves by offering many courses.

I didn’t know about Blog before. Now we can show our creativity by writing. This is really good for us. Another good side of Nari Jibon Project is the Nari Cybercafé. We can practice computer here in a safe environment. To me, Nari Jibon is a great project for girls and women."