Violence against women
There are many
reasons for which women become victims of
violence in Bangladesh
Incidents of violence against women and children in the country are yet to be successfully controlled. Though the number of such incidents has lessened a bit recently still the social evil is persisting to a great degree. There are many reasons for which women become victims of violence in Bangladesh.
There are people who harbour the notion that there is no harm to beat their wives and children and physically or verbally abuse them on the flimsiest of pretexts. Most of the women dare not protest and bear the brunt of the repression perpetrated on them silently. Patriarchs and religious leaders are also against women raising their voice against repression. There are husbands and in-laws who browbeat housewives into submission and the latter have little scope to disoblige them. This sinister tendency is not confined to the poor and illiterate sections of the society but has spread its tentacles among the middle class, upper middle class and even higher echelons of the society.
How many working housewives have the liberty to spend their hard-earned monthly salaries according to their sweet will? They have to appease their husbands and the members of their families through pecuniary incentives. Any kind of lapse on their part is taken seriously and they become victims of maltreatment and abuse. This is very unfortunate; this outlook must change. A culture of mutual respect should grow in the interest of family peace and harmony. Heads of families, husbands and in-laws should grow a culture of tolerance and forbearance in their manners and temperaments. They should realise that bickering and violence only exacerbate family troubles that may lead to disastrous consequences.
Many incidents of violence against women are not highlighted by the media. Lack of social security of women does not allow them to inform police or others. That is why media has a great role to play in this regard. Development activists and media personnel at a round-table meeting in Rajshahi on Friday particularly focused on this aspect. It can greatly contribute to ending violence and repression against poor and marginalised women, building their self-confidence and dignity.
Bringing change in the mindset of the people can be a remedy of violence against women. Enlightening women through proper education, empowering them with jobs and by creating consciousness among them violence against them can be mitigated. It is the responsibility of the relevant authorities and the members of the law enforcing agencies to put in their efforts to curb violence against women.
