Domestic violence being reported more now

Domestic violence against women has not decreased, but more women report it now, revealed a study by Amrai Pari Paribarik Nirjaton Protirodh Jot (WE CAN Alliance to end Domestic Violence).

Meanwhile at a roundtable yesterday, Christine Hunter, country representative of UN Women Bangladesh, said it is not about protecting women, but rather about protecting their rights if violence against women is to be stopped. 

The alliance conducted the research in 16 districts of seven divisions among 480 change makers, members of the alliance who actively encourage positive attitude and behaviour towards women in the communities they live in.

Of the types of violence, 93.13 percent respondents referred to kicking as a type of torture, 91.25 mentioned beating with sticks, 85.21 mentioned pushing women against pillars and walls, 84.79 mentioned marital rape, 84.58 spoke about throwing objects, 78.13 spoke about slapping and 78.33 mentioned pulling hair.

Meanwhile, 69.2 percent of respondents in Dhaka, 60 in Chittagong, 20 in Sylhet, 51.7 in Rajshahi, 70 in Rangpur and 45 percent in Khulna opined that people now protest and report violence against women more due to widespread campaigns of the government and non-government organisations.  

Findings of the study were presented at a workshop at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in the capital on deciding the future strategy of the alliance.

The alliance, which works in 15 countries, launched their campaign in Bangladesh in 2004.

Human rights activist Sultana Kamal, chairperson of the alliance, emphasised the importance of speaking up against torture.     

Shaheen Anam, co-chairperson of the alliance, noted how ensuring dignity of women would help reduce discrimination. 

Meanwhile, Christine Hunter said, "To prevent violence against women we have to learn about what causes violence in a particular situation and to a particular group of women and how to prevent those. We have to change our images toward what women can do and what men can do. We also have to remove discrimination, which exists in almost all the systems we have."

The roundtable tilted "He for She" was organised by the Bangla daily Prothom Alo, Swedish embassy and UN Women in the newspaper's office in the capital.

Swedish Ambassador Johan Frisell, who moderated the event, emphasised good political will as well as commitment from males to ensure women's rights.

Matiur Rahman, editor of Prothom Alo; Abdul Qayyum, associate editor of Prothom Alo; and Robert D Watkins, resident coordinator of United Nations in Bangladesh, among others, were present.