More than seven years after the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013, issues related to fire, electrical and structural safety in hundreds of the nation’s garment factories have improved from before.

Covid-19 has hit all countries of the world, both rich and poor, but the low income countries (LICs) are hit hardest, and half of them are at high risk of or are already in debt distress.

The demand was predictable. Given the outrage that has been generated by the vicious acts of assault and dehumanisation that have been inflicted on women over some time, it even appears justifiable.

Eleven people have so far been arrested in connection with the Noakhali gang rape. Most of the suspects were arrested within days after the video of the heinous crime landed on social media.

One of the proverbs that I have grown to dislike, especially in the last many years is—ek haathe taali baaje na (you need two hands to clap), roughly translating to, a deed is done only if two or more people come together to do it. It is not possible for one sole person to accomplish something.

Everything is happening so fast that we feel as if the future is being compressed into the present at frightening speed.

Bangladesh’s most influential and powerful Islamist pressure group, Hefazat-e-Islam, witnessed a dramatic upheaval earlier this month.

The journey of social media started with a user base of MySpace in only 2004 and presently about half of the world population are connected to social media platforms, be it through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so on. Probably, no one could see it coming at this magnitude. All types of media, including mainstream, digital and social have gradually been plunged into a crisis in phases.

From the char of Lalmonirhat to a slum in Khulna, I have met many adolescent girls across Bangladesh who are united in their resolve to continue education, who make extraordinary efforts to go to schools.

The demand of girls worldwide to live free from the harmful practice of child marriage is one of the key focuses of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.

After waking up in the morning, we all used to gather, one by one, at my mother’s bedroom. With a cup of tea in everyone’s hand and newspapers scattered on the bed… everyone would read a news item one after another, while others would listen to it and give their opinion.

This year, we celebrate World Mental Health Day during a challenging time, when the need for improved mental health and psychosocial support is higher than ever.

Mid April, 1971. A lanky young boy sneaked out of his family home in old Dhaka into the hitherto unknown world of warfare.

Mona’s village was located in the far west of Nepal when the devastating 2015 earthquake struck.

The photo of Md Fazlur Rahman has been making rounds across social media. At first glance, it may appear that he is a mentally challenged person, but a close inspection will prove otherwise. His heart-wrenching words echo his miseries.

Money can’t buy knowledge, but the knowledge industry of the modern world, centred in our universities, runs on money. Universities worldwide are money-strapped now.

All indications in the past few weeks give an impression that the country is turning around. Economic activities have been picking up fast after a prolonged lockdown of about four months.

Is rape ever okay? Most of us would say no. Yet, something that is “not okay”, happens every day, most often with impunity.

There is a new kid on the bloc rising in the shadows of the RMG behemoth. We can call it the next big thing after readymade garments in Bangladesh.

Covid-19 has brought about an unprecedented crisis in human history in terms of its dimension and scale.