Violence against women, children still critical issue

Violence against women and children is a critical issue in most of the commonwealth countries, and it is affecting women's empowerment.
This was observed at the 10th Commonwealth Women's Affairs Ministers Meeting that concluded with adoption of a 20-point "Dhaka Declaration" in the capital yesterday.
Delegations from 30 countries, including 17 women ministers, from all region of the commonwealth took part in the 3-day meeting.
The declaration called for the development of gender responsive policy and the collection of disaggregated data, including in financial institutions, for monitoring access to finance, and recognise the benefits of members of the commonwealth sharing good practices and developing support networks.
Taking into account that lack of access to finance is a major challenge for women entrepreneurs, it called for the commonwealth to explore innovative, inclusive and accessible financing mechanisms.
In the declaration, the commonwealth women ministers recommended that the context of the post-2015 framework should address gender inequality in social institutions, norms and practices.
The declaration also called for strengthening systems to increase representation of women in decision-making at all levels.
Under-representation of women leaders and decision-makers in politics, public service, corporate boards and in communities causing negative impact on democracy and development, the commonwealth ministers observed.
The ministers reaffirmed the importance of women's leadership for enterprise and emphasised women's holistic empowerment as a driver of economic growth, political stability, peace, social justice and inclusive sustainable development.
Revealing the declaration at a press conference at Sonargaon hotel, Bangladesh's State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki said women empowerment should get priority attention in the new global development agenda.