Women’s rights advocacy group “Awaj,” a collective of female journalists and writers from Cox’s Bazar, has submitted a seven-point proposal to the Deputy Commissioner to strengthen safety measures for women at Cox’s Bazar sea beach.
The proposals were presented during a meeting with Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin on Wednesday, September 10, at the DC office.
The recommendations include:
- Deploying more female police personnel and ensuring regular patrols at key beach points
- Installing modern CCTV cameras at all central locations with round-the-clock monitoring
- Adopting a “zero tolerance” policy against sexual harassment, ensuring speedy trial, and prosecuting offenders under cybercrime laws for spreading voyeuristic videos on social media
- Conducting awareness campaigns in public spaces, using signboards, banners, and large screens to inform visitors about laws and punishments related to sexual harassment
- Bringing both professional and amateur photographers under strict monitoring
- Setting up women-friendly spaces and breastfeeding corners at key beach points
- Identifying and taking action against touts and scammers operating in tourist areas
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin assured us that the proposals have been taken seriously and that necessary actions will be initiated.
Speaking about the initiative, Awaj president Irin Akter said,
“Women have long faced harassment, scams, secret filming, and even sexual assaults, including rape, at Cox’s Bazar beach. We want to ensure that women can travel and move freely here without fear. That is why we have presented these proposals to the district administration.”
Other members of Awaj present at the meeting included Joint General Secretary Umme Habiba Shiru, Organizing Secretary Roksana Akter Sumi, Assistant Organizing Secretary Shaharia Alam Shekhla, Health and Sports Secretary Romana Akter, Magazine Editor Mahia Rahman, and members Sharzina Akter and Asmaul Husna.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Courtesy
