Oxfam in Bangladesh on Friday expressed concern over the recent surge in misogynistic rhetoric, disinformation and targeted attacks against women and feminist advocates, describing it as a dangerous backlash against efforts to advance gender justice in the country.
The international development organisation in a statement sent to the media said that the current wave of hostility went far beyond legitimate public discourse.
It said, 鈥榃hat we are witnessing is not a debate鈥攊t is a backlash. Derogatory language, public shaming and threats directed at women and those advocating for their rights go far beyond criticism.鈥�
The organisation warns that silence in the face of such hostility is not neutrality but complicity, noting that failing to speak out allows fear and misinformation to shape public narratives and policy directions.
鈥楾he pain of silence, especially in the face of injustice and rising intolerance, weighs heavily on those whose rights are most at risk,鈥� the statement read.
Oxfam urged for a reaffirmation of the core values of equality, dignity and freedom, stating that women must be able to participate fully in decision-making processes within families, communities and in public institutions without facing fear, shame or violence.
It also stated that the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees the rights to equality, dignity, freedom of thought, expression and association.
Bangladesh has also made international commitments, including to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Sustainable Development Goals, to eliminate discrimination and empower women, adds the statement.
鈥楾hese promises cannot be fulfilled if hate speech, misinformation and intimidation continue unchecked,鈥� the organisation warned.
Oxfam also called on all stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, the media and digital platforms, to promote respectful, fact-based public discourse and to protect individuals who were facing threats and harassment.
鈥榃omen鈥檚 rights are not up for negotiation. Liberation must be feminist鈥攐r it is not liberation at all,鈥� the statement added.
