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Editorial

No end to violence against women

Adopt zero-tolerance policy against gender-based violence


Bangladeshpost
Published : 09 Mar 2023 08:13 PM

A total of 9,764 women fell victim to violence in Bangladesh over a one year period, according to the non-government organization Light House. Light House unveiled the statistics at an event organized on the occasion of International Women's Day on Monday. 

There is no denying that the incumbent government has taken a number of initiatives to prevent gender-based violence but hitherto incidents of violence against women happen almost every day in our country. According to the data published by Light House, there has been an average increase of 350 cases per month under the Women and Child Repression Act compared to five years ago.

According to a study commissioned by ActionAid Bangladesh, around 64 out of 100 women have to face online harassment and violence in the country. Women are often lured by hoax messages and fake identities in social media and they fall prey to offenders in cyberspace as well as the real world. Reportedly, 80 percent of cybercrime victims in Bangladesh are women and this highlights the vulnerability of women in Bangladesh no matter where they go, what they do, and how they dress and speak.

We need to raise public 

awareness on recognising 

and preventing all forms of abuse

Experts have pointed that  diminishing social and family values and a culture of impunity are the primary reasons behind rising trend in violence against women. Moreover, because of the social stigma associated with sexual violence, many of the incidents go unreported.

We love to take pride in the success of women, but are we doing enough to protect our female counterparts from the evils of our society? Sexual abuse has long been sidelined in Bangladesh and this must be changed. Spreading awareness about the importance of reporting incidents of abuse has become pertinent to end violence against women. We need to raise public awareness on recognising and preventing all forms of abuse. Bangladesh should strive to become a role model in eradicating violence against women and children. In this regard, we must adopt a zero-tolerance policy against violence against women. Also, the government must adopt tough legal measures to prosecute rapists and violators.

In order to end violence against women, streamlining better processes to facilitate complaints and provide counselling and medical help are imperative. Also, punishment of those who will be found involved with incidents of rape and violence against women and children must be ensured.