They were speaking at the dialogue titled 'Violence against women: Impediment for women's advancement' organised by Steps Towards Development at Cirdap auditorium in the city yesterday to mark Begum Rokeya Day and International Human Rights Day.

In his welcome speech, Ranjan Karmakar, executive director of Steps, women are becoming victims of violence repeatedly while contributing to the national and societal development.

Referring to a recent survey conducted by Steps, Ranjan said women especially women entrepreneurs are facing obstacles that impede not only women's advancement but also national development.

Presenting the keynote paper on the occasion, Shaheda Ferdouse Munni, programme officer of Gender Development Communication Centre, Steps, said women feel insecurity and gradually lose confidence for our unfavourable socio-economical and political framework.

The recurrent incidences of divorce, child marriage, polygamy and dowry system that create the grounds of repression on women eventually destroy the whole family, she added.

Dr Maleka Begum, author and researcher, criticised the negative representation of women in drama serials of Indian satellite channels and at present in Bangladeshi channels, which produce bad impact in the society.

Prof Hannana Begum, a professor of Eden Women's College, called upon all to ensure the accountability of the local public representatives to prevent repression on women.

Mujahidul Islam Selim, general secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh, held capitalism and so-called market economy responsible for treating women as commodity.

Representatives from different organisations, including Karmojibi Nari, Care Bangladesh, Nari Pakkha and National Forum of Organisations Working with the Disabled took part in the discussion.

Earlier, Prof Dr Anisuzzaman unwrapped the covers of DVD version of nine short films on repression on women and children produced by Audio-Visual Centre (AVC), a component of Steps.