Vow to end sexual violence
Teachers and students of Begum Rahima Ideal Girls' High School form a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club in the capital yesterday demanding punishment for the rapists and killers of Ritu, a 10-year-old girl whose body was found in a bathroom of Tropicana Tower in the capital on Saturday.Photo: STAR
Rights activists and civil society members yesterday pledged to show zero tolerance towards sexual violence against women. They made the pledge at a discussion “Violence against Women- Rape, Gang Rape: The Dos and Prevention†at Brac Centre Inn in the capital. Brac's Gender Studies and Diversity department organised the event. “The Police Week 2013 starts today. It is high time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presses the issue and instructs the law enforcers to be proactive and put an end to this mayhem,†said Rasheda K Chowdhury, executive director of Campaign for Popular Education. The participants held inaction of the authorities concerned responsible for the present condition. “Sexual violence has become a social disaster. To prevent and cure this disaster we have to bring police, BCS cadres, National Institute for Local Government under a training mechanism. The imams should be pursued to preach against sexual violence,†she added. The role of folk media, particularly Jatra Federation and Group Theatre Federation, was highlighted to create mass awareness regarding the issue. “We have to discourage the culture of violence first. Be it on children in schools and madrasas, domestic helps, or low income people of society,†said media personality Abdun Noor Tushar. The speakers said school teachers should be trained to teach sex education. Salma Jebin Khan, a lawyer at Ain o Salish Kendra said, “In some cases we see the judges ask embarrassing questions accusing the victim that traumatises her further. So judges should be given training on gender and sexuality.†Ayesha Khanam, chairperson of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad also spoke.
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