স্বয়ং - Swayong

❗️'আমরা শুধু চিৎকারের আওয়াজ পাচ্ছিলাম। জোরে জোরে কাঁদতেছিলো। কিন্তু ওখানে আমাদের কিছুই করার ছিল না।' 👉 গত দুইদিনে আমাদের সবার নীল সাদা দেওয়াল ভরে গিয়েছে চলন্ত বাসের গণধর্ষণের এই আর্তনাদের গল্পে। বাংলা ভাষায় বাংলাদেশের নারীদের আর্তনাদের শব্দ অবশ্য এতোই নিয়মিতভাবে কানে আসে, যে আজকাল আর আমাদের হৃদয় নাড়া দিয়ে ওঠে না। 👉 ২০২৫ সালের জানুয়ারি মাসে মোট ৮৫ জন কন্যা এবং ১২০ জন নারী নির্যাতনের শিকার হয়েছে। এর মধ্যে ধর্ষণের শিকার হয়েছেন ৪২ জন কন্যাসহ ৬৭ জন। তার মধ্যে ১৪ জন কন্যাসহ ২০ জন দলবদ্ধ ধর্ষণের শিকার হয়েছেন, ১ জন কন্যাসহ ২ জনকে ধর্ষণের পর হত্যা করা হয়েছে। এছাড়া ২ জনকে ধর্ষণের চেষ্টা করা হয়েছে। 👉 বছরের প্রথম মাসের শুধু লিখিত রিপোর্টে নারীর প্রতি সহিংসতার সংখ্যা ২০৫! পত্রিকা কিংবা ফেসবুক খুললেই দেখা যায় গতকাল রাতেই হয়তো আমার প্রিয় বাংলা ভাষায় চিৎকার করতে করতে ক্লান্ত হয়ে গিয়েছে। বাকস্বাধীনতা নিয়ে যেই জাতি সূচনা লগ্ন থেকেই লড়াই করে যাচ্ছে, কোনো এক অদ্ভুত কারণে সেই জাতির নারীদের কন্ঠস্বর বারবার থামিয়ে দেওয়া হচ্ছে। 👉 এই মাতৃভাষা দিবসে, স্বয়ং প্রত্যাশা করে নারীর কন্ঠ এবং চিৎকার পত্রিকার পাতা ছাড়িয়ে মানুষের হৃদয়ে প্রবেশ করুক আর এক সত্যিকারের পরিবর্তনের আলো এই দেশে ছড়িয়ে যাক। লেখা: নুজহাত জাবীন সুমাইয়া ডিজাইন: সুরভীতা বসাক

📣 Raise Your Voice with Revolt, no matter where you are from! Swayong’s first magazine, Revolt, is a platform to amplify the voices of women and marginalized communities, standing against all forms of social injustice. We are calling for powerful write-ups and artworks that spark resistance and inspire change. 📅 Submission Deadline: March 3, 2025 📧 Submit to: ask@swayong.org

🌍 World Day of Social Justice 2025 Observed annually on February 20, this day calls for action against gender, racial, economic, and workplace injustices while advocating for equal opportunities for all. Social justice is the foundation of peaceful, prosperous societies—it demands the elimination of discrimination, forced labor, and inequality across all sectors. This year’s theme, "Strengthening a Just Transition for a Sustainable Future," focuses on how inclusive policies can ensure climate action leads to better jobs, reduced inequalities, and sustainable development. With 1.2 billion jobs at risk due to climate change, urgent steps are needed to create opportunities in renewable energy, green infrastructure, and sustainable industries. Key discussions will cover: 🔹 The role of macroeconomic policies & trade in fostering climate resilience. 🔹 Strategies for an equitable transition to a low-carbon, job-rich economy. 🔹 Innovative financing for vulnerable nations. 🔹 The importance of education & social protection systems for green jobs. The Global Coalition for Social Justice is driving this agenda forward—because a just future is a sustainable one. Written by: Khandoker Asif Mohammad Designed by: Soumili Dey

📣 Raise Your Voice with Revolt! Swayong’s first magazine, Revolt, is a platform to amplify the voices of women and marginalized communities, standing against all forms of social injustice. We are calling for powerful write-ups and artworks that spark resistance and inspire change. 📅 Submission Deadline: March 3, 2025 📧 Submit to: ask@swayong.org

🌸Swayong Read & Resist members gathered to discuss the January-February reading selections: Where the Wild Ladies Are by Aoko Matsuda and নন্দিত নরকে by হুমায়ূন আহমেদ. The conversation centered on how women’s treatment is shaped by their socio-economic conditions and several other issues. 🌸To join the book club, fill out the form below: https://lnkd.in/gbMgzBzp

✨After spending 23 years in isolation at Rangamati Mini Zoo, Jumboo, an Asian black bear, has finally been freed. Confined to a small enclosure with barely enough food, he survived on nothing but dudhbhaat (milk and rice)—a diet far from what a bear needs to stay healthy. ✨He was rescued and relocated to Dulahazara Safari Park, where he will receive proper care. While this is a victory for Jumboo, many animals in Bangladesh’s zoos continue to suffer from neglect. Poor living conditions, inadequate diets, and a lack of medical attention are widespread issues. ✨Zoos should prioritize animal welfare, not mere exhibition. It’s time to push for better treatment, stronger regulations, and ethical practices in all wildlife facilities. Every voice matters—let’s speak up for those who cannot! Written by: Jarin Rafiza Designed by: Aurora Alamgir

✨STEM Without Women is Half the Potential! ✨On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate the contributions of women in STEM while recognizing the challenges they still face. Globally, women make up only 33% of researchers, and in engineering, just 28% of graduates are female. In Bangladesh, though progress is visible, gender bias, societal stereotypes, and limited mentorship continue to hold many women back. ✨Yet, Bangladeshi women are breaking barriers! Dr. Firdausi Qadri has made groundbreaking contributions to cholera and typhoid vaccine research, earning global recognition. Wasfia Nazreen, though not a scientist, represents the fearless spirit of Bangladeshi women as the first from the country to conquer the Seven Summits. Their achievements prove that science, innovation, and exploration have no gender. ✨But there’s more to do! We need more girls in classrooms, more women in labs, and more female role models in science and technology. Closing the gender gap in science isn’t just about equality—it’s about unlocking the full potential of human progress. Written by: Tanzina Rahman

👉On February 3, 2025, transgender activist Shila Chakma was brutally murdered in her home in Betbunia Union, Rangamati. Her throat was slit, and her body was left in a gruesome state -an act of sheer brutality. 👉Originally from Hathazari, Chattogram, Shila was a fearless voice for transgender rights in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Now, her murder raises chilling questions about the safety of Bangladesh's minority communities. Locals reported seeing five unidentified men enter her house late at night. The next evening, when attempts to contact her failed, a fellow transgender individual alerted neighbors. Upon entering, they found her lifeless body-her throat violently slit, additional wounds on her abdomen, and clear signs of a targeted attack. 👉Was she killed for being a vocal transgender leader? Was this linked to personal conflicts or, as some reports suggest, a fallout from drug-related gatherings? Regardless of the motive, one thing is certain this is not an isolated case. Just last year, the murder of Rima Hijra in Dhaka sparked similar outrage. Now, Shila's death demands immediate justice. 👉How many more lives will be lost before action is taken? We must raise our voices, demand justice, and ensure that Shila's killers face the consequences of their actions. Written by: Tanzina Rahman Designed by: Soumili Dey

👉 "Iraq has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, with 7% of girls married by age 15 and 28% married before 18 (Dagres, 2024). Many of these are unregistered and not recognized by the state. Often arranged by religious or tribal leaders, such marriages leave girls from accessing rights like inheritance and child custody; making girls more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. They also have no access to financial support or alimony in case of divorce." - Deblina Dutta 👉 Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/gjNhiFVJ

Swayong stands in unwavering solidarity with Indigenous students and protesters fighting for rightful representation. The violent attack on their peaceful assembly, advocating for the reinstatement of "Indigenous" in textbooks, is a stark reminder of the systemic injustices they face. Stories of resistance like these must be told—because education should amplify voices, not erase identities. We demand accountability, justice, and a future where every story matters. #JusticeForIndigenousStudents #StoriesOfResistance #DismantlingInjustice