200 women fall victim to violence last month

Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA) in a press release yesterday presented an analysis of the news reports, which show that a total of 200 women fell victim to violence only in the last month.

The report also shows that rape and dowry remain the most prevailing forms of violence against women.

Meanwhile, speakers at a press conference yesterday said a total of 169 women were victims of violence last year at several places in the capital according to the records in Khilgaon and Sabujbagh police stations.

Nari Maitree organised the press conference titled 'Creating awareness to stop violence against women' as part of its project 'We, only, can stop all sorts of violence against women' at the National Press Club in the city.

Presenting a written statement, Shahin Akter Doli, executive director of Nari Maitree said, "Most of us are not aware of the fact that women rights are part of human rights."

As a result, women fall victim to violence regularly in the spheres of family, society and state, she added.

Doli pointed out domestic violence as special form violence against women as women are oppressed at home both physically and mentally.

Speakers also identified the lack of rule of law as a major obstacle to stop violence against women.

They suggested that the condition be changed through creating awareness among people at all levels.

The male members of every family may play a significant role to change the condition, they said.

According to a report of Ain O Shalish Kendra, a total of 356 women were victims of violence for dowry last year across the country while only 134 cases were filed against the dowry violence, they said at the press conference.

Advocate Salma Ali, executive director of BNWLA, told The Daily Star over phone that the cases of repression on women cannot be carried out successfully for absence of 'Victim Witness Protection Act'.

For poverty, gender biased shalish system at the grassroots level and fear of losing dignity in the society, women often seem to be reluctant to take legal action, she added.