Gender equality must

The practice of believing and teaching that men and women are equal can eliminate all sorts of violence against women, said a roundtable in Mymensingh town yesterday.

The present social structure and practice teach that men are superior and women are inferior and this is how violence against women starts and continues, speakers added at the discussion titled "Gender Based Violence: Current Situation and Ways Forward" at a hotel. The Daily Star and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) jointly organised the discussion.

The practice of early marriage is high in Mymensingh region which is causing pre-matured pregnancy and other forms of violence against women.

According to a survey conducted in 2011 by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 87 percent of currently married women have experienced some forms of violence by their husbands -- an astounding 65 percent of women even have experienced physical violence. Bangladesh has the second highest prevalence of child marriage in the world; 62.8 percent of women aged 20 to 24 were married before 18.

To fight the problem, girls need to be provided with life-skill based education to become financially independent and self-aware, observed speakers.

Besides, religious and social superstitions, which hinder women's progress, must be rooted out and women should get equal scopes to move ahead.

The speakers also mentioned that traditional marriage system should be changed and consent of both bride and groom must be involved in a marriage. A detailed verification, including medical tests, groom should also be conducted before marriage to avoid future scopes for violence.

Moreover, discussions should be held on "sector based violence" to closely identify the problems of different communities and find its long-term remedy and such discussion should be included in religious gatherings at mosques, temples and churches to motivate the people.

Proctor of Bangladesh Agricultural University Prof Md Zakir Hossain, Deputy Director of Local Government Nurul Alam, Prof Rokeya Begum of Mymensingh Teachers' Training College, Additional Police Superintendent Syed Harun-or-Rashid, Shamima Pervin, acting chief-gender of UNFPA, Aklima Jesmin of UNFPA,  Caritas  Mymensingh Regional Director Apurbo Mrong, journalists Aminul Islam and Anwarul Islam, Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, former managing editor of The Daily Star, and Mymensingh Press Club's Secretary Ataul Karim Khokon spoke among others.