Law enforcers’ support has been inadequate

New and different strategies are needed in the fight against increasing incidents of violence against women (VAW) amid the pandemic, in absence of proper legal support from the law enforcement agencies and NGOs working for preventing VAW, said speakers at a webinar yesterday.

Titled "Different strategies to prevent violence against women during Covid-19 pandemic", the webinar was jointly organised by Nari Nirapotta Jote, a platform working for women's safety, and Amrai Pari Paribarik Nirjaton Protirodh Jote (We Can).

Shaheda Akter, a survivor from Atgharia Upazila of Pabna shared her experience on how she was severely beaten by her husband for dowry and received no support from the union parishad chairman and police station. Finding no way, she had to go back to her perpetrator even after being admitted to a local hospital for a month.

Sanatan Das, convener, Sirajganj's Tarash Upazila Nari Nirapotta Jote, talked about the increase in incidents of violence against women in his upazila and shared that at least 50 incidents of child marriage happened in the upazila during the ongoing pandemic.

"The actual number is higher as parents are marrying off their daughters secretly. The reduction of income also worked as a major factor for the increase in child marriages," he added.

The programme was presided over by Shaheen Anam, convener of Nari Nirapotta Jote. She stressed that women should step out of the attitude of accepting violence in the pandemic, and there should be a massive campaign that establishes violence against women as a serious offence. "It can't be a normal incident that someone is beating his wife just because he is hungry or has things to worry about," she said. 

Shehla Pervin, additional inspector general of police and joint secretary of Bangladesh Police Women Network said since many women are not being able to reach police stations for making a complaint amid the pandemic, they can seek help using the helpline 999.

"Besides, there are also apps like BD Police Helpline and Hello CT, through which the women can send audio and video messages to ask for help," she said.

Shehla also urged victims of violence to not settle the cases out of court.

Member of Parliament Meher Afroze Chumki, also president of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), was the chief guest at the webinar.

She said if a strong committee can be formed in every upazila, consisting of representatives of organisations working for women's rights, officials of MoWCA, representatives of union parishad (female UP members and vice-chairperson), women can get support from them, without the hassle of going to multiple agencies or organisations.

"They can also contact over the phone and the members will visit their homes," she added.

Md Shawkat Hossain, additional district and sessions judge at a Shariatpur court, stressed on increasing the budget and logistical support of the judiciary in order to ensure proper justice and speedy trial. He also suggested that police should keep a database of the sexual offender like other developed countries, as history says child molesters do this type of crime repeatedly.

MB Akhter, co-chair at WE Can; Afroza Mahal, Dhaka and country portfolio manager at Plan International Bangladesh; Nasimun Ara Haque Minu, president, Centre for Women Journalists and survivors of violence spoke at the event as well. 

Zinat Ara Haque, executive coordinator of We Can, moderated the webinar.