Students Demand Eden College Be Reserved Exclusively for Women

PNN News Desk, Dhaka

Students at Eden Women’s College in Dhaka have demanded that the institution be preserved exclusively for women and issued an ultimatum to start classes for the 2024–25 academic year within the next two days. The press conference was held on Tuesday (December 2), organized to protect the college’s identity and ensure a safe higher education environment for women.

In a written statement, students highlighted that Eden College is a major institution for women’s education, independence, safety, and confidence, symbolizing women’s progress for decades.

They expressed concern that recent structural and policy changes related to seven colleges under a university ordinance could negatively impact Eden’s identity and women-friendly environment. The delay in starting the 2024–25 academic year classes is also causing stress and loss of time.

The students’ demands include:

1. Preserve Eden College exclusively for women to maintain its distinct identity and safe learning environment.

2. Do not abolish any department, especially Islamic Studies.

3. Conduct full-day academic activities.

4. Protect Eden as a higher education institution and do not introduce intermediate-level courses.

5. Declare Eden a fully-fledged women’s university, not restricted to a single faculty.

They stressed that these demands are not for personal or political gain, but to safeguard students’ interests and the college’s distinct identity. They warned that if classes do not start within two days, they would be forced to take strict action.