In the last two decades there has been considerable progress in Bangladesh in terms of participation of women in the labour force. During the period of 1996-2017, the national rate of female labour force participation increased from 15.8 to 36.3 per cent. While increased female labour force participation has contributed to economic growth and human development, gender-based violence at workplace undermines workplace productivity and profitability. At the same time violence at workplace impedes women’s dignity and their physical and mental well-being.

Cartoons have always been an effective medium to make strong and meaningful political statements which are easily understood by most people. For this, through this graphic novel, ActionAid Bangladesh has tried to portray the Rohingya refugee crisis, the violence and injustice against refugees through visual artwork.

On my trip to Sunamganj in April, I met 32-year-old Nazma Khatun who spoke to me about her woes: “All of our cultivated paddies have gone under water. Our livelihood, children’s education, food, treatment, and shelter are under threat as we depend on the paddy. We took Tk30,000 as a loan from a Local NGO to cultivate. I don’t know how I will return the loan.”

Event for child care

Violence against women and girl is a severe human rights abuse that continues to take place on a daily base all over the word, also in Bangladesh. With interactive theatre performances in different parts of Dhaka, youth happenings, discussion fora, media training and a robust social media presence using #SafeCities, #SafeCitiesBecause and #16DaysofActivism, we call on ending violence against women during this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign.

Historically, Violence Against Women (VAW) has been always there, as a prevalent and persistent problem. Women’s safety remains at risk everywhere, whether it is her home, her workplace or the institution where she studies. To bring the spotlight on Violence Against Women in Bangladesh, its trends and solutions, ActionAid Bangladesh has come up with research studies which have been launched this January 17, 2019 at the Bishwo Shahityo Kendro conference room in the capital’s Banglamotor area.