Stop domestic violence, torture on women

The Action Network to Combat Violence against Women took out a procession in the city yesterday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.. PHOTO: STAR

This year the theme of the day was ' Violence Against Women: Hindrance to Women's Development. '

Different rights organisations organised discussions, rallies, cultural functions and mass signature campaign to mark the day.

Committee to Implement International Demonstration Day on Violence Against Women, a network of 47 rights organisations, demanded reforms of the existing laws and their proper implementation to help the repressed women.

Addressing a rally at Mukta Mancha in Dhanmondi in the morning, the committee leaders also demanded strengthening of its standing committees in every union parishad to resist violence against women at local level.

Shirin Huq, a member of Naripakkha, said institutional initiative is a must to stop violence against women.

" It is an achievement for us that the repressed women or the rape victims can now speak and claim justice," she added.

At another discussion at Mukta Mancha in the afternoon, Executive Director of Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) Advocate Salma Ali urged all to show respect to women at homes, roads, transports, offices and educational institutions.

She said neglect to elderly women in many families or discrimination of girl child on the basis of complexion is also a kind of repression.

Former Vice-president of BNWLA Advocate Fowzia Karim, Advocate Hasina Rashid, Jobaida Parvin, Nasima Sultana and Kohinur Begum were present on the occasion.

Democracywatch also organised a discussion at its auditorium to mark the day.

Speakers at the discussion said people from all walks of life should come forward to resist domestic violence.

They urged the media to portray positive image of women and establish the concept of gender equality.

Presided over by Prof Latifa Akhand, the discussion was also participated by Dr Taherunnesa Abdullah, Prof Nazma Siddiqui and Ishrat Shamim of Dhaka University.

Action Network to Combat Violence Against Women also held a rally and organised a mass signature campaign at Central Shaheed Minar for creating awareness and involving people to resist violence against women.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad organised an opinion sharing meeting and a documentary show on violence against women at its auditorium.

Vice-president of parishad central committee Bela Nabi, Khaleda Mahbub, Hasna Banu, Nargis Zafar and Maleka Banu were present on the occasion.