Families must be pioneers

Every family must play a pioneering role to eliminate violence against women and establish equal rights of male and female, said leaders of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad yesterday.
"In a statistic, we have found that around 76 percent of incidents of women repression occurred inside their homes. So, the first requirement of ending violence against women is to turn each family into the safest shelter for women," said Ayesha Khanam, president of the parishad.
She was addressing a rally organised by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and the Department of Women and Gender Studies of Dhaka University on the campus to raise awareness among the youth about women's repression and sexual harassment.
In one hand, women are significantly contributing to the country's development, but on the other hand, incidents of repression and violence against women are increasing, she said.   
Reading out a written statement, Chairperson of the Women and Gender Studies Department Tania Haque placed a 28-point recommendation to prevent sexual harassment and stalking.
Some of the recommendations are: formation of “complaint committee” at every educational institution, ensuring effective role of law enforcers at and beside educational institutions and massive campaigns.
Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique and many teachers, students and women rights activists attended the function.

The parishad in association with different organisations launched a two-week long programme to observe the international fortnightly campaign for eliminating violence against women and observing Human Rights Day.
The programme includes -- discussions, rallies, processions, distribution of awareness leaflets, arranging folk song and view-exchange meetings.