Graduate from North South University Sayma Jamal Meem also a social activist in Dhaka shares her story. Here’s her full story :
“I am a graduate from North South University and a Social Activist in Dhaka.
In 2011, I was coming back home from a friend’s house and was waiting for a bus in Dhanmondi. It was dark outside and almost 9 p.m. There were some other people who were also standing in the queue and waiting for the bus. After waiting for an hour or so, we came to know that the bus had broken down and that it would take even more time.
The passengers all became impatient and started looking for other options. As it was late and my home was very far from that area, I wasn’t able to find a bus or taxi that would travel there. While standing in the line I saw a man in his thirties staring at me. And when I started looking for taxi, he started following me.
Suddenly, he came up to me and asked where I wanted to go. It was very disturbing for me as I didn’t know him. At first, I ignored him but he kept following me. He was saying things like, “There is another bus stop nearby, sister. Let’s go together. Let’s go, let’s go (apu arekta bus stoppage ache nearby. Cholen eksathe jai. Jaben? Jaben?) ”
He seemed desperate to take me with him. I then overheard 2 women talking together behind me and understood that they were going to the same place I wanted to go. They somehow managed to find a taxi to take them there. Though we didn’t know each other, I asked them politely if I could travel with them, even though they were unknown to me. I wouldn’t normally do this, but they seemed nice people. Moreover, I really had to get rid of that monster following me. I hopped into the CNG and eventually reached home safely. I remember that man shouting “I love you mam!” He was harassing me in front of other people, which was extremely embarrassing. If it wasn’t late at night, I would have tried to take more action against his harassment. Unfortunately, this time I couldn’t. I encourage all women to stand up against all forms of harassment they face while roaming outs