Female leaders and online activists believe that Shafi’s remarks were ill-motivated and directly on the odds with the government’s undertakings of women rights. On the other hand, the fundamentalist Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam claimed that Shafi’s remarks were misrepresented by the media. Deputy Minister for Education Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel has said that Shafi’s remarks, against sending girls to school, are his own personal opinions and will not affect the forward march of women’s education. A stern intervention by the government is vital here.”Zahid Hossain, a human rights activist, said: “As a father, Shafi’s remarks made me feel disturbed and deeply concerned. “The main objective of Huzur Shafi’s speech was to bring everyone’s attention to the violence and harassment that women are suffering currently.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 13, 2019 05:49 UTC