Social movement to end violence against women: Speakers
BSS
RAJSHAHI: Forging social resistance and movement to end violence against women and children has become an urgent need for facilitating them to make themselves worthy citizens, speakers at a press conference here said, reports BSS.
They viewed all of us should raise voice and work together to address the social problem collectively as only the government or any other single organisation cannot bring any positive result in this regard. Association for Community Development (ACD) organised the press conference in its conference hall in Rajshahi city on Wednesday to mark the observance of Prevention of Repression and Violence against Women and Children Fortnight-2015. Creating awareness about Child Marriage to end Violence against Women and Children was the main slogan of the media conference. ACD Executive Director Salima Sarwar, Programme Coordinator Ehsanul Amin, President of Peoples Organisation Shima Begum, and Programme Officer Rabeya Khatun spoke on the occasion. Terming the child marriage as the major violence and gross violation of human rights Salima Sarwar said there is no alternative to check it substantially. Despite multifarious interventions by the government and non- government organisations concerned, the child marriage is taking place. In this situation, the community people and mass-media should come forward positively. She said unemployment, intrusion of foreign culture and weak family bondage were triggering various unexpected incidents like sexual harassment. We need to establish social networks and alliances involving government and non-government organisations, community people, civil society and media to reach this goal, said Salima Sarwar.
Salima, however, urged for strengthening legal assistance and effective enforcement of laws regarding women repression to eliminate the number of violence against women. Social awareness and social empowerment of women could reduce the number of such victims to a greater extent, she added. Urging all to be united for strengthening the rights of women, she said:
We should create a congenial atmosphere for women at all spheres so that they are ensured equal rights.
BSS adds from Rangpur: District administration in association with RDRS Bangladesh, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad (BMP), Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA), Pollishree, BRAC, BLAST, World Vision Bangladesh, We Can, Association for Social Organisation and Development, Debi Chowdhurani Polli Unnayan Kendra, Sushashoner Janno Nagorik (SJN), Underprivileged Childrens Educational Programmes (UCEP-Bangladesh), Nagorik Uddog, Setu Bandhon Hijra Unnayan Sangstha, educational institutions and other organisations organised daylong programmes on the occasion.
Earlier, a huge rally led by Deputy Commissioner Rahat Anwar and participated by government and NGO officials, employees, women activists, human rights and socio-cultural activists, professionals, teachers, students and elite, was brought out in the city.
With District Women Affairs Officer Shamima Akhter Banu in the chair. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education ICT) Tanima Tasmin) attended and addressed the post-rally discussion as the chief guest. General Secretary of district unit of SJN Akbar Hossain, President of district unit of District Girl Child Forum Principal Fakhrul Anam Benzu, Divisional Chief of BNWLA Advocate Kohinoor Begum, President of district BMP Hasna Chowdhury, Advocate Munir Chowdhury and representatives of different organisations addressed.
