Nusrat Jahan Rafi is a name that should be remembered. She had the courage to stand up for herself in a country where women's rights are not a priority. Unfortunately, in Bangladesh, sexual harassment is commonplace and often times victims receive no justice. It's an issue that's not taken seriously by cops and is brushed off. Women are shamed, instead of men. They are blamed and often receive threats. Their situation is more likely than not made worse when they report sexual harassment.
Nusrat Jahan Rafi filed a sexual harassment report against her principal, who had touched her inappropriately. She took her case to the police and was illegally recorded by the officer in charge of the case. The police officer showed no kind of empathy whatsoever, telling her that it was "no big deal." The video was then posted on social media, garnering attention. After this, the principal was arrested but instead of receiving justice for her situation, Nusrat Jahan Rafi's life was made worse.
After filing the report, there were protests led by male students demanding the principal be released from jail. Nusrat Jahan Rafi went to the police to receive some kind of help and to put a bad man in jail. Instead of this, she received no kind of understanding and a negative amplification of her situation.
On April 6th, Nusrat Jahan Rafi went to school to take her final exams, but instead, she was met with her horrifying death. She went up to the rooftop of her school to help her friend who was allegedly getting beat up, but instead, she was doused in kerosene by four people wearing burqas and demanded by them to drop her harassment charge against the principal. She then died at the hospital after her body had been 80% burned.
Nusrat Jahan Rafi did not get the justice she deserved during her lifetime, but her death should not be in vain. Her death should be used to propel a new beginning for Bangladesh. She was brave enough to stand up for herself and take on a system that is already so against women. Her murder deserves justice. This gruesome and heartbreaking case should be a wake-up call for Bengali authorities and the people of Bangladesh, and how the country handles sexual harassment. She should be remembered and her name should never be forgotten.
