Addressing the issues like tortures and poverty, therefore, is an urgent issue, they said at the concluding ceremony of a three-day training course on management of torture survivors.

Centre for Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors (CRTS) and Department of Psychiatry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) jointly organised the programme at WVA auditorium in the city.

"There are many socio-economic classes where power is being abused and mainly the poor are subjected to such abuses," said former adviser to caretaker government Advocate Sultana Kamal while speaking as the chief guest.

Violence at domestic levels on the women is not recognised, she said, adding that this non-recognition also creates non-transparency, a major element of corruption.

For example, she said, many women are tortured at domestic level, but as there is no legal recognition of such violence, their lawyers advise them to file a dowry case. "These abuses happen just because of non-recognition of tortures."

Management of the torture survivors therefore is very important, said Advocate Sultana Kamal, also executive director of Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), adding that a person can be adamant to go astray if one feels insecure.

Speaking as a special guest, Bangladesh Economic Association General Secretary Professor Abul Barakat said economic empowerment and change in mindset are major factors for the women to eliminate all sorts of violence against them.

Demanding an increase in the budgetary allocation, he said a national movement should be waged against women violence and all sorts of 'fatwa' (religious edict).

Referring to a study, Professor Abul Barakat said a total of 23 lakh women are subjected to tortures annually that require health, counselling and legal intervention, while a government statistics said the number was only more than 11,000 last year.

He, however, lamented that the Millennium Development Goals and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper do not care for addressing the issue of violence against women. "National movement therefore is the only answer."

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Assistant General Secretary Dr Maleka Banu said the women who are actually the partners of development are being deprived of playing their due role in the society.

Ninety percent of the victims are women, she said, suggesting a comprehensive approach to address such victims.

CRTS General Secretary Dr Kamrul Hasan Khan demanded formation of a human rights commission immediately and creating mass awareness about tortures.

Health Rights and Research Foundation Chairperson Professor Nazmun Nahar also spoke at the ceremony presided by Professor Abdus Sobhan, chairman, Department of Psychiatry, BSMMU.