Bangladesh Raises Voice to End Violence Against Women · Global Voices
পান্থ রহমান রেজা (Pantha)

With fists raised to the sky, thousands of Bangladeshis throughout the country stood together in city streets and plazas last week chanting “no more, no more!” to demand an end to violence against women as part of the “One Billion Rising” movement.
Bangladesh was among the 203 countries around the world that organised anti-violence demonstrations for February 14, 2013. More than 13,000 people throughout all 64 districts in Bangladesh “rose” up in protest.
For the southern Asian country, the “One Billion Rising” movement hits home. A reported 174,691 women in Bangladesh were the victim of violence, including acid attacks, abductions, rapes, murders, trafficking, and dowry-related violence, between 2001 and 2012, according to a report by the country's police.
And according to the United Nations Human Development Report, Bangladesh has the worst record for rape in the region, meaning that statistically one in every 1,000 women is raped.
One Billion Rising, the V-Day campaign's largest global action, was named for the fact that at least a billion women worldwide will experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime, according to the UN.
Below are some photos from the movement, courtesy of the One Billion Rising Bangladesh Facebook page.
Parliamentarians’ solidarity with One Billion Rising campaign
Action Aid Bangladesh protesting violence against women through song.
Garment workers rising up against violence against women in Gulshan, Dhaka.
Men and women from the small town of Sirajgonj rising up.
The United Nations in solidarity with the movement.
People rising up at Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka.
Shadhona performs an inspiring dance known as Bidrohi at Shilpakala Academy.
Lighting candles in memory of women subjected to violence during the 1971 Liberation War during the One Billion Rising protests in Shahbag’s Generation Square.
More photos and stories are available on One Billion Rising Facebook Page and on their blog.