Address gender violence in manifestos

Speakers at a roundtable yesterday urged all political parties to address violence against women in election manifesto.

They recommended including strict actions against all sexual harassments, awareness-building campaigns against violence, introducing gender sensitivity lessons in school and ensuring female friendly public transport.

The speakers said at a roundtable titled “addressing violence against women in election manifesto: reality and whats to be done” organised by Prothom Alo in association with ActionAid Bangladesh at CA Bhaban in the capital's Karwan Bazar.

A demand for ensuring active participation of women in politics and safe polling station for them to vote was also made in the meeting.

Discussants also demanded political parties to disqualify those candidates who allegedly committed violence against women. 

Abul Hossain, project director of Multi-Sectoral Programme on Violence against Women of Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWCA) said politician should be gender sensitive.

Echoing with Abul Hossain, Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh said the political parties should be held accountable for the manifesto.

Khushi Kabir, coordinator of non government organisation Nijera Kori, said pressure  should be created on political parties to implement their election manifesto.

Barrister Tania Amir said strategic plan should be devised to bargain with policymakers and ensure the rights of people.

Shireen Huq, founder member of women's rights organisation Naripokkho said women in local governance should be empowered so that they can eliminate violence against women. 

Nusrat Jahan Mukta, assistant police commissioner of Women Support and Investigation Division, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said challenge remains when there is pressure from influential groups when handling gender violence cases.