Jaya Ahsan, Rafiath Rashid Mithila, and others spread awareness of violence against women

Jaya Ahsan, Rafiath Rashid Mithila, and several other actresses in Bangladesh took to social media to protest against violence against women. They put on a bindi on their forehead, only placing it away from the centre – its ideal place. 

In the last few days, Bangladeshi women's selfies flooded social media. They were seen with red bindi, deviated from the centre. The hashtag is Odd Dot Selfie. Jaya Ahsan, Rafiat Rashid Mithila, and Nusrat Imroj Tisha also took part in the campaign.

It is written with the selfies, ‘In Bangladesh, one in three women is tortured. The atrocity has increased over the years but protests have not been made. Girls in our society are taught to accept everything. But how long?” This is organized by Bangladesh's Mangaldip Foundation on Women’s Day.

Jaya thinks that this is a trend not only in Bangladesh but in the Indian subcontinent as a whole. She said that the media is also silent many of the times and we either normalize or forget. Not all women can protest, though they wish to, Jaya thinks. “At one time, it was taught to keep mum for the sake of the girl and her family's honour. Those are gone days,” she said. But Jaya has no affinity towards feminism or any special day. She wants to celebrate every day for women. “That's why I don't post anything special on March 8,” she said. 

Regarding Odd Dot Selfie, Jaya further said, “I think we should take part in such an effort for the empowerment of women. It is an effort to identify with them.” The actress hopes that in the future this effort will spread in India and Pakistan also. However, she does not want to demonize men. “I am not a male-hater. I believe in the equal rights of both,” she added. 

Mithila thinks that atrocities on women happen in every part of the world. “How many people protest the torture of women? Some protests happen initially and then we forget. Then another piece of news comes. Violence against women must stop immediately,” said the actress. She also mentioned violence against men. “But reports say that violence on women is much more than that on men,” added the actress. 

Mithila also said that the violence is not limited to domestic space. “Women face insults on roads, public transports, and even on social media,” she said. Mithila was also trolled various times. “It is not limited to celebrities. Many women in our surroundings face this,” she added. 

Mithila thinks that news of atrocities on women should be increased so that both men and women can be conscious. “The administration should take strict steps and make sure that the tortured woman is not afraid to make complaints,” she said. Mithila is also a social activist who gives messages for women's empowerment. She said, “I have to work every day with women and children, and hence I try for their well-being.”