RAJSHAHI, Dec 19, 2022 (BSS) - Forging social resistance against violence
against women and child marriage has become crucial to free the society from
the social crimes
 
Present government under the dynamic and farsighted leadership of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina is very much sincere to combat the violence against
women and child marriage.

So, all the government and non-government entities concerned should come
forward and work together to supplement the government endeavor collectively.

Public representatives and development activists unanimously came up with the
observation while addressing a dialogue styled "Eradication of Violence
against Women and Child Marriage and Way Forward" in Rajshahi today.

DASCOH Foundation, Manob Kalyan Parishad (MKP) and NETZ jointly organized the
dialogue supported by the project 'Young People at High Schools Strengthen
Women's Rights and Inclusive Governance in Bangladesh" at Nanking Darbar
Hall.

Ayen Uddin, MP, addressed the meeting as the chief guest saying the present
Bangladesh is going ahead successfully but there are more works to be done in
the field of eradicating violence against women and child marriage.
 
He said utmost emphasis should be given on social and family awareness as
child marriage is a crime viewing that substantial and sustainable reduction
of child marriage has become an urgent need for ending violence against women
and children.

Responsive support from the community, especially teachers, religious
leaders, marriage-registrars, parents and influential leaders is very
important.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Towhidul Arif,
Professor Tanzima Johra Habib from the Department of Social Work at Rajshahi
University, NETZ Programme Manager Afsana Binte Amin and MKP Director Rabiul
Azam spoke disseminating their expertise on the issue.

Chief Executive Officer of DASCOH Foundation Akramul Haque moderated the
discussion, while NETZ Programme Manager Sara Khatun illustrated the present
situation related to violence against women and child marriage in the region
during her keynote presentation.
The meeting put emphasis on both men-women equal participation for achieving
the SDGs by 2030 coupled with building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh
by 2041.

It also called for a concerted effort of all the government and non-
government organizations concerned for freeing the women and children from
all sorts of violence and repression.

In her remarks, Professor Johra said the present government has been
implementing diversified programmes to free the society from child marriage.

Terming child marriage as gross violation of human rights she also said it is
vital to increase awareness regarding the negative impacts of child marriage
with the help of the mass media.    

More coordination is necessary among various stakeholders at union, upazila,
district and national levels.