Rashida Manjoo, a special rapporteur of the UN, on Wednesday, said that every country in the world has the responsibility to take effective steps to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against women. She further said, “Violence against women is the most pervasive violation of human rights, which is a cause and consequence of inequality and discrimination, whether in law, or practice.”
Her remarks came at a press conference on violence against women, its causes, and consequences, organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), in the city. When asked to comment on the 13 points of the Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, Manjoo said that any kind of barrier, from any corner of the society, should be protested by the governments, to ensure the development and security of the women.
Rashida Manjoo have been mandated by the Human Rights Council to seek and receive information on violence against women, its causes and consequences, and to recommend measures to eliminate all forms of violence against women.
She has been visiting Bangladesh from May 19 to 29. During her visit, she had meetings in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rangamati, Khulna and Jessore, with the government officials, members of the civil society, NGOs and social activists.
During her visits, she found that the most pervasive form of violence against women in Bangladesh is domestic violence, with an estimated 60 per cent of married women reported experiencing violence at the hands of a spouse and in-laws.
Talking other manifestations of violence include different forms of sexual violence, including rape, discrimination and violence, based on ethnicity, religion, caste, indigenous status, disability, dowry-related violence, sexual harassment, early marriage, acid attack, psychological violence in custodial settings, economic exploitation, and cross-border trafficking.
She also welcomed the government’s efforts to ensure an efficient and effective police service, by encouraging the participation of women in the Bangladeshi Police, at all of its ranks, increasing gender awareness, and improving victims support services through the Police Reforms Programme.
She also gave some recommendations, such as adopt with out delay a uniform Family Code fully complying with the provisions of CEDAW, extend the application of the guarantees of equal rights between women and men to the private sphere in its constitution, in line with Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention and in other appropriate legislation (CEDAW), take effective measures to ensure the implementation of the existing legal framework, including enactment of legislation on sexual harassment (CEDAW), take further urgent legislative measures to prohibit early and forced marriages.
She also informed that her findings will be discussed in a comprehensive report that will be presented before the United Nations Human Rights Council in June 2014.
-With The Independent input
