Men must change mindset to stop domestic violence

Men have to change their mindset to stop domestic violence and ensure equal rights of women in their family, speakers told a programme yesterday.

They urged the women to involve with income generating activities to make a strong position in their family so that they can earn their rights.

The remarks were made at the inauguration ceremony of a fair “Equal Respect in Family Relation” organised by We Can at Bangladesh Shishu Academy premises in the capital.

Around a hundred couples and 17 different organisations participated in the fair supported by a Dutch embassy funded project “Shokhi”.

Rights activist Sultana Kamal, who chaired the programme, said, “Violence cannot exist in a country like Bangladesh that became independent through a liberation war. It should be stopped from family at first to protect the women.”

Lawmaker Safura Begum Rumi said, “We have laws to stop violence against women, but its implementation is slower. Therefore, we have to create awareness among couples to stop it.” The fair can play an important role in this regard, she added.

Speaking as the chief guest, State Minister for the Social Welfare Ministry Nuruzzaman Ahmed said all citizens in the country have to come forward to ensure equal rights of women.

Dr Annie Vestjens, a secretary at the Netherlands embassy; Jinat Ara Haque, national coordinator of We Can Bangladesh; and Dr Abul Hossain, a project director at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, was also present at the programme.