I softly touched Rumi's Cheek on my computer screen.  She opted to take her life rather than living a life full of fear. Fear of the possibility of physical and emotional abuse, sexual violence and the social stigma.  Any of these are familiar feelings that confront our girls growing up in Bangladesh. 

Now there are incentives for girls to attend schools. But where is the security when they step out of their home? What about the streets, transports used by them, or the school campus? Who is going to guarantee the parents that their girl will come back without being harassed by the end of the day?

Did Rumi really choose to take her life because she had the 'freedom' of choice?  Let us be reminded from previous cases such as hers that it was the last resort of a desperate and very scared young girl. Let us not forget that she was forced into this situation.

Shall we just be sad for a moment and then get on with our own lives? Or shall we try to think of ways of assisting our younger generation, both the girls and the boys so they may feel secure?

What is the solution then? 

It is much more complex than just delivering harsh punishments for those boys who become tormentors.  Many of these boys have nothing better to do! Their playgrounds are being grabbed by housing development estates; they do not have alternative leisure activities; unemployment rate is rising.  Let us be aware that these boys are also products of frustration and insecurity. 

Why not have a workshop or a dialogue on this issue? The community organizations need to come forward.  We need to think strategically before it is too late.  I don't want to touch another 'dead' Rumi's face on my computer screen.  I don't want to be reminded of that scary feeling of being teased by the boys.
 

August, 2003

This article was previously published at The Daily Star : Freedom She Wrote
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