VIOLENCE against women in our country still remains a common feature as many powerful offenders hardly get punishment and time-killing investigation process hinders the justice. Human rights campaigner Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) report stated that harassment, violence, rape, murder and domestic abuse over dowry – these all have forced many girls ending their lives — despite various preventive measures taken by government and non-government organisations.
The laws for protecting women’s rights are undeniably too strict but the implementation is often mired with complexities as the society is highly male dominated. Besides, alien culture and women’s participation in outdoor activities expose them to be violated.
In 2017, at least 1,648 women faced six forms of violence — rape, domestic abuse, assault on domestic workers, dowry-related attacks, acid attacks, and assault unleashed by village arbitration. Additionally, at least 255 men and women suffered violence for protesting sexual assaults and harassments on women. Between January and October this year, 1,263 women were victims of violence across the country and another 159 men and women faced violence for protesting sexual assault. The number was 1,467 in 2016, 1,627 in 2015, and 1,615 in 2014. However, the actual figure might be much higher as many incidents go unreported. For example, about 2,000 complaints of violence against women and children are reported every day through a hotline number (109) set up by the government.
Bangladesh is pledge-bound to eliminate violence against women as it ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) with a reservation on some clauses. Quick disposal of cases on violence against women and children through Speedy trial tribunals has been a sign of the government’s success, but regular tribunals and courts are still in a sorry state.
In most cases, the police and other machinery are not women-friendly; many victims stay off them, so that the conviction rate is low. We demand for ending lengthy trial processes, political influence and discriminatory use of laws that favour powerful offenders.
