'Concerted action a must to curb violence against women'
They also stressed the need for coordination among the NGOs working to this end.
Many NGOs in rural areas have been trying to stamp out violence, but the lack of coordination among them is hampering their activities, they said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. South Asia Partnership Bangladesh (SAP) in collaboration with the Manusher Jonno Foundation organised the workshop on 'Resisting violence against women' at Cirdap auditorium in the city.
The participants called for strengthening the local government, saying that it can play an important role in establishing the rights of women.
They also said women UP members should be provided with proper training in order to ensure their participation in the judicial activities of Union Parishad (UP).
Achieving empowerment of women is a must to establish their rights in society, said Taleya Rahman, executive director of DemocracyWatch.
Women should also have more education to achieve self-reliance and development in various fields, she said.
Speaking as the chief guest, CQK Mushtak Ahmed, director general of NGO Affairs Bureau, said ensuring democracy at the grassroots level is a must to establish the rights of women and resolve the socio-economic problems in the country.
Syed Nurul Alam, executive director of SAP Bangladesh, said violence against women cannot be curbed overnight. "We all have to work together to stamp out the menace," he added.
SAP has initiated a three-year-long project titled 'Women's rights', which is being implemented in 257 unions in six districts with the assistance of 14 other organisations, he said.
UP chairmen and members took part in the workshop and placed their recommendations.
Dr Faustina Pereira, director, research and advocacy, Ain-O-Salish Kendra, Prof Dr Sadeka Halim of Dhaka University, and Nadira Mallik, programme co-ordinator of SAP, also spoke at the workshop moderated by television personality and columnist Muhammad Jahangir.