‘Enforce laws to end violence against women’

Eminent personalities and rights activists yesterday stressed the need for mass awareness and strict implementation of existing laws to end violence and discrimination against women.
Although different government and non-government organisations are conducting awareness campaign, violence against women is still prevailing, they said at a human chain.
Laws must be enforced strictly to end the offence, they added.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), said crimes and human rights violation could not be stopped due to non-implementation of laws.
Terming acid attack the most brutal and barbaric form of violence against women, columnist Syed Abul Maksud demanded death penalty as the maximum punishment for this crime.
At least 84 incidents of acid violence occurred in 2011, while the number was 115 the previous year, shows a statement of Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF).
The human chain was organised at the Central Shaheed Minar jointly by ASF and Prothom Alo Assistance Fund for acid victim women, with support from Manusher Jonno Foundation, marking the International Women's Day.
Prothom Alo deputy editor Anisul Hoque, joint editor Abdul Quayum, actor Azizul Hakim, singers Fahmida Nobi and Mahmuduzzaman Babu, and dozens of acid victim women joined the human chain.
Similar human chains were formed by the same organisations in 10 districts of the country.
Meanwhile, different socio-cultural, human rights, and non-government organisations yesterday observed the day with elaborate programmes.
Samajik Protirodh Committee, a platform of 67 women and human rights organisations, held a public rally at the Central Shaheed Minar. Rights activist Sultana Kamal chaired the rally while State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Campaign for Good Governance, Actionaid Bangladesh, Underprivileged Children's Educational Programs (UCEP)-Bangladesh, Department of Women and Gender Studies of Dhaka University, Sacheton Nagorik Committee (Sanak) at Savar, Nari Unnayan Shakti, Steps Towards Development, National Domestic Woman Workers Union, Bangladesh National Council (BNC) of Textile Garments and Leather Workers, United Federation of Garments Workers, Biplobi Nari Sanghati, National Garment Workers Federation, Jatiya Gonotantrik League, and Bangladesh Nari Mukti Andolon also organised programmes to mark the day.
On the occasion, the Asia Foundation Bangladesh distributed 7,500 books at different educational institutions across the country.
South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) and Bangladesh Labour Welfare Foundation issued separate press releases, marking the day.