Forging social resistance crucial to end women violence, child marriage

Forging social resistance against violence against women and child marriage has become crucial to free the society from the social crimes.

Present government under the dynamic and farsighted leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is very much sincere to combat the violence against women and child marriage.

So, all the government and non-government entities concerned should come forward and work together to supplement the government endeavor collectively.

Public representatives and development activists unanimously came up with the observation while addressing a dialogue styled "Eradication of Violence against Women and Child Marriage and Way Forward" in Rajshahi on Monday.

DASCOH Foundation, Manob Kalyan Parishad (MKP) and NETZ jointly organised the dialogue supported by the project 'Young People at High Schools Strengthen Women's Rights and Inclusive Governance in Bangladesh" at Nanking Darbar Hall.

Ayen Uddin, MP, addressed the meeting as the chief guest saying the present Bangladesh is going ahead successfully but there are more works to be done in the field of eradicating violence against women and child marriage.

He said utmost emphasis should be given on social and family awareness as child marriage is a crime viewing that substantial and sustainable reduction of child marriage has become an urgent need for ending violence

against women and children.

Responsive support from the community, especially teachers, religious leaders, marriage-registrars, parents and influential leaders is very important.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Towhidul Arif, Professor Tanzima Johra Habib from the Department of Social Work at Rajshahi University, NETZ Programme Manager Afsana Binte Amin and MKP Director Rabiul Azam spoke disseminating their expertise on the issue.

Chief Executive Officer of DASCOH Foundation Akramul Haque moderated the discussion, while NETZ Programme Manager Sara Khatun illustrated the present situation related to violence against women and child marriage in the region during her keynote presentation.

The meeting put emphasis on both men-women equal participation for achieving the SDGs by 2030 coupled with building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh by 2041.

It also called for a concerted effort of all the government and non- government organizations concerned for freeing the women and children from all sorts of violence and repression.

In her remarks, Professor Johra said the present government has been implementing diversified programmes to free the society from child marriage.

Terming child marriage as gross violation of human rights she also said it is vital to increase awareness regarding the negative impacts of child marriage with the help of the mass media.

More coordination is necessary among various stakeholders at union, upazila, district and national levels.