Domestic Violence
Majority of women are victims
About 84 percent women in rural and 75 percent in urban areas of Bangladesh become victims of domestic violence by their husbands, said Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) yesterday.
Referring to the records of One-Stop Crisis Centres (OCC) at different medical colleges, BNWLA Director (protection) Towhida Khandker said at least 1,540 incidents of violence against women including physical assaults, sexual assaults, and burn injuries occurred between January and August this year across Bangladesh.
She disclosed the information while presenting a paper at a dialogue with lawmakers titled “Enforcement of Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010” jointly organised by BNWLA and Plan Bangladesh in support with USAID at a city hotel.
Lack of awareness and education, patriarchal practice, poverty, lack of security, superstitious beliefs, illegal fatwa, and dowry are the main reasons for domestic violence, said Khandker.
Following the presentation, women lawmakers unanimously emphasised on awareness building, changing social views and attitude and enforcement of the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010 to eliminate domestic violence.
They also called upon male society, law enforcement agencies and administration to be more cordial for prevention of domestic violence.
BNWLA Executive Director Advocate Salma Ali, among others, also spoke.
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