A group of female students at the University of Dhaka (DU) submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor, demanding 24-hour entry and exit access to the university's female residential halls.
The memorandum was handed over to DU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam at around 4:00 pm on Monday.
In the memorandum, the students called for the abolition of the existing evening curfew in female halls and placed a three-point demand aimed at ensuring greater freedom and equal rights for female residents.
Their demands include:
1. Abolishing the existing evening curfew in all female residential halls and keeping the gates open 24 hours a day.
2. Allowing regular female students to enter any female hall upon showing a valid university identity card and permitting overnight stays with prior approval.
3. Allowing female family members of resident students to visit their rooms inside the halls.
In the memorandum, the students said the demands were raised under the banner of the "Discrimination-Free Women's Halls" platform to ensure the safety, dignity, freedom, and equal rights of female students at the university.
They argued that female students often need to enter or leave their halls at any time due to academic activities, research, medical emergencies, organisational engagements, family obligations, and other personal necessities.
The students said the demand is not merely to extend the existing curfew hours but to introduce a regulated, secure, and well-managed 24-hour entry and exit system that reflects the needs of the current time.
Among those present during the submission of the memorandum were DUCSU Research and Publications Secretary Sanjida Ahmed Tonwi, DUCSU member Hema Chakma, Sufia Kamal Hall Vice-President Sanjana Chowdhury Ratri, and Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Women's Affairs Secretary Chemon Faria Meghla, along with several other students.