‘Prevention of violence against women a multi-sectoral task’

Prevention of violence against women and girls is a multi-sectoral task, and the cooperation of everyone including police, administration, doctors and people is needed to tackle the rising number of such incidents. 

In addition to ensuring digital security, Bangladesh also needs to think about ways to curb the propagation of images and videos through technology which incites violence against women, speakers said at a virtual view exchange organised by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad on Sunday.

Addressing the event titled "Prevention of Violence against Women and Girls and Communal Violence," Bangladesh Mahila Parishad's Acting President Dr Fauzia Moslem said, "Lawyers of the country should strengthen their efforts to bring those committing violence against women to justice. 

"We must make a concerted effort not only to curb rape of women and girls, but also to check all form of crimes."

She further said, "Why should the one who is raped have to stand in the courtroom? The accused, not the accuser, will have to stand there. The lawyers and people of the administration have to think about how to make it possible."

Noting that every person in our society is regularly exposed to various provocative content including violence against women through technology, she said, "The government must curb the propagation of such content.

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira said, "Bangladesh is at the top in South Asia in establishing equality, whereas the USA, Japan, China and other European countries are behind Bangladesh. 

"Women and Child Repression Prevention Act 2020 has been enacted timely. The people are getting the benefits of the implementation of this law."

Besides the government, called on the NGOs to work on the issue, she said, "All communities in the country need to be involved and awareness needs to be created. If everyone works together, the abuse of women and children in our country can be stopped."

As the special guest, Md Shahadat Hossain Mahmud, Director General, Health Services Division, Health Economics Unit, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said proper legal assistance to women and girl victims of rape as well as immediate medical assistance is a big challenge.

Director of Legal Advocacy and Lobby of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Advocate Makshuda Akhtar conducted the programme.

Professor Raushan Ara Begum, former president of OGSB, Advocate SMA Sabur, Dr Sohail Mahmood, Rumana Akhter, CID Special Superintendent of Police (Forensics); Hamida Parveen, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Women Support and Investigation Division; Umme Wara, Assistant Professor, Department of Criminology, Dhaka University, also spoke on the occasion.