'Help end violence against women'

21 November 2011, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

All stakeholders related to violence against women should cooperate, as it is not possible for the government or any organisation alone to remove the social disgrace, speakers said at a seminar yesterday. They also called upon the victims to launch protest and adopt preventive measures to stop the violence. The seminar titled "Effective strategy to combat gender-based violence: South Asia perspective" was organised jointly by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and Acid Survivors Foundation at Lecture Theatre Building of Dhaka University. MJF executive director Shaheen Anam chaired the programme. “Women are not given respect. This should be changed. We should understand her contribution to the society. Otherwise violence against women won't stop”, she said, adding that women's contribution to society should be measured officially. Mahal Aminuzzaman, acting head of Human Rights and Good Governance department of Danida, a non-government organisation, observed that violence against women is pervasive in the country due to insufficient law and verified data on women repression. International Programme Manager of UNFPA Marriane Berner said change of mindset, gender sensitive curriculum, and awareness programme can prevent violence against women. Dr Abul Hossain, project director of Multi-Sectoral Programme on Violence against Women; Naheed Ahmed, national programme manager, UN Women; and MB Akhter, programme manager, Oxfam GB; among others, addressed the seminar.