Enact, enforce strict laws for rape: Speaker
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury yesterday said strict laws have to be enacted and enforced as well as exemplary punishment for rapists must be ensured as soon as possible.
"Repression and rape against women is not acceptable in any way. Rape is the worst form of crime," she said while addressing a virtual dialogue.
UNFPA and parliament secretariat organised the programme, "Concerted Response to Stop Child Marriage, Prevent Gender Based Violence and Improve Maternal Health During Natural Disaster and Covide-19 Pandemic".
The Speaker joined the programme virtually as the chief guest from the Jatiya Sangsad.
"As part of the national response plan, the upazila women's affairs officers can play the role of first responders and assist them in getting all the legal help if any woman is being abused in remote areas," she said, adding that awareness is needed to prevent violence against women.
The event was chaired by Awami League MP Meher Afroze, convener of the sub-committee on prevention of child marriage and gender based violence and also chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on women and children affairs.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira, UN Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo and UNFPA Representative Asa Britta Torkelsson, among others, joined the programme. Aroma Dutta, a member of the sub-committee, presented the keynote paper.
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