Dhaka, Oct. 9 -- As protests rage across the country against sexual violence in general and rape in particular, it still remains too early to say whether the outpouring of public anger constitutes a moment that can serve as a turning point, or another one of those lost opportunities during which we let off some steam at some outrage that gnaws at our collective sensibilities, without turning our attention at any point to real measures that can achieve lasting change.

People from different walks of life, including students, staged demonstrations across the country for the 4th consecutive day on Thursday as anger mounted over the growing incidents of rape and sexual harassment of women. According to reports reaching our sister newsagency U...