Violence Against Women: MPs call for stronger implementation of laws

Lawmakers from treasury and opposition bench and representatives of various organisations yesterday called for proper implementation of law, moral education and capital punishment for perpetrators to stop violence against women.

They made the call at a "Meet the Press" at the Jatiya Sangsad Media Centre.

Samaj Kalyan Unnayan Shangstha (Social Welfare and Development Organisation) organised the event titled "What to do to prevent violence against women."

Speaking as chief guest, AL lawmaker Shamsul Haque Tuku, chief of the parliamentary standing committee on home ministry, said one of the reasons behind the increase in violence against women is the impact of drugs on the society.

"Dope tests should be introduced at all levels of government and other organisations," he said.

Calling for a change in the education system to stop violence against women, Aroma Dutta, vice chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights, said, "Our pledge should be on the golden jubilee of independence that not a single woman in would be a victim of violence."

"Therefore, proper implementation of the law must be ensured. Local governments need to be more proactive in stopping violence against women," she said.

Jatiya Party MP Shameem Haider Patwari proposed to set up tribunal at the upazila level for speedy disposal of cases related to violence against women.

Calling on the people's representatives to raise awareness, AL MP Aparajita Haque said the government has amended women and children repression prevention act to incorporate the provision of death penalty.

Jesmin Prema, chairperson of Samaj Kalyan Unnayan Shangstha said we must ensure capital punishment and ensure moral education to stop violence against women.