They also called for a united movement for educating women to strengthen family values to ensure peace and harmony in society.

They were speaking at the roundtable on "Human Rights in the Families of Bangladesh" organised by Worldwide Family Love Movement (WWFLM) and Bangladesh Paribar Unnayan O Punarbashan Sangstha at a community centre in the city yesterday to mark the International Human Rights Day.

Speaking as a chief guest, Dr Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, secretary to the ministry of Textile and Jute, said urbanisation and modernisation are the root cause behind the fragmentation of family ties in contemporary world, which ultimately leads to violence and corruption.

Terming families as the supreme institution to mould a person's basic character, he further urged for an equal participation of both men and women to build up strong family values.

"Its through instilling proper morals in a child at an early age we can save the world from destruction", said Khurshid Irfan Ahmed, adviser to Ain O Shalish Kendra, who attended as a special guest.

ATM Ataur Rahman, secretary to Bangladesh Parliamentary Secretariat, highlighted the importance of educated mothers in families.

Kazi Ali Reza, officer-in-charge of the United Nations Information Centre (Unic) and Tajkera Khair, chairperson of WWFLM, also spoke on the occasion.