It is not surprising that the ex-state minister for Information and Broadcasting has been asked to resign from the cabinet for his obscene remarks and behaviour. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has never taken kindly if any of her cabinet or party members manifested disgraceful behaviour in public. We salute her quick decision and action against the misogynist Murad Hassan. But we also must acknowledge the reality that he is just a symbol of the rampant and rising misogyny in the country which urgently needs to be stopped to create a safe haven for women.

We fervently hope that the fall from grace of one Murad Hassan will set a glaring example for everyone else to refrain from all kinds of misogynistic behaviour and comments in the country. There is no denying the fact that misogyny has been rising steeply in Bangladesh. The reason behind the rising trend is the fragile male ego responding negatively to the progress of women in the country. As more women are entering the workforces, misogyny has become the ultimate vile weapon wielded by a segment of men against women to deter their progress and make them feel insignificant. By definition misogyny is hatred, dislike and mistrust of women manifested in various forms of physical and mental intimidation and abuse, sexual harassment, rape, social ostracism and all kinds of prejudice against women.