STOPPING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Stern laws demanded
Women right activists on Sunday urged the government to take stern measures for the effective implementation of existing laws and policies to stop violence against women.
At a view exchange meeting, they said violence against women in the country continued though the government took some initiatives to stop it.Steps towards Development with the help of UN Women organised the view exchange meeting on ‘Commission on the Status of Women: 57 session-promises to resist violence against women’ at Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Women and children affairs state minister Meher Afroze Chumki said the number of violence against women had decreased but type of violence took a very horrible shape.
She said the government had taken many initiatives to check early marriage which was the main reason behind violence against women.
The government would also finalise the National Action Plan by July to implement Women Development Policy 2011, said the state minister.
She said violence against women existed in all classes including the rich and elites.
Meher Afroze stressed proper implementation of the existing laws and policies and awareness programme.
She said the government with the help of UNICEF already started distributing Tk 2,000 monthly among 8000 children to refrain them from hazardous works.
UN Women Bangladesh country representative Christian Hunter said it was the duty of the state to protect the rights of women.
She suggested effective implementation of laws and policies, women-friendly judiciary system and non-discriminatory laws to ensure women rights.
Christian Hunter said Bangladesh already made some progresses but the people should not use social causes to justify violence against women.
Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha executive director Rokeya Kabir stressed the gender-sensitive education system so that from the very beginning children could start believing in the equality of men and women.
-With New Age input
