The Story of Tomisra

I am Noor-A-Jannat Tomisra, a graduate student pursuing my master's in Criminology at the
University of Dhaka. Amidst the towering buildings and bustling streets of this city, I have
embarked on a journey that has opened my eyes to the daunting health challenges faced by
urban women like me. The basics of sound health require adequate hygiene, nutrition, and
physical rest, referring to sleep. However, the pictures of urbanization scare us to death.

Here, sanitation in urban areas is truly a tale of two extremes. On one hand, there is the glitz
and glamour of shopping malls and luxury apartments. On the other hand, entire communities
are grappling with the absence of basic sanitation infrastructure. Finding a clean and
accessible public restroom has become like searching for a hidden treasure. However, what
hits home for me is the dire state of public restrooms in our city. Moreover, one can imagine
the uncomfortable situations when I have nowhere else to go on weekends but TSC. The
scarcity of well-maintained facilities is not just an inconvenience because inadequate
sanitation leads to urinary tract infections, and none of us wants to deal with those
consequences. When it comes to food, the situation is equally challenging. The city may
seem like a paradise of convenience, but for those of us from low-income backgrounds and
residing on Hall premises, accessing nutritious food is an ongoing battle. Malnutrition and a
host of related health problems are a silent crisis for the female students living in Dhaka city.
The noise pollution in urban areas becomes a deadly nuisance for the residents here. On my
campus, where a space is designated for serenity and learning, the incessant dissonance
disrupts our equanimity. Whether it be the blaring horns of passing automobiles, boisterous
congregations, or ceaseless construction, the perpetual auditory aggression takes a toll on our
welfare. The migration of students from more tranquil study zones within the premises is a
customary sight.

In the face of these formidable challenges, I am firmly convinced that effecting change is
indeed a feasible undertaking. Our government bodies and local authorities must accord high
priority to the establishment and maintenance of proper sanitary facilities and educational programs on hygiene. Equally vital is investment in waste management systems to ensure a
pristine urban environment. However, change must also be driven at the community level.
We cannot afford to wait for external forces to tackle these issues on our behalf. We must
equip ourselves with the necessary tools to make informed decisions that promote healthy
living. Community-led initiatives such as urban gardens and cooperative food programs can
profoundly influence our lives. It is high time that we collectively demand a better quality of
life for future generations and ourselves. As we continue to construct and develop our cities,
it is imperative that we accord top priority to the health and well-being of urban women. Our
journey and story demand a transformative shift.