RAJSHAHI, April 12, 2023 (BSS)- Community support coupled with proactive role 
of the media, particularly print, electronic and social, can be the effective 
means of combating violence against women.

Wide-ranging social awareness among the public in general, especially parents 
and teachers, is also important for substantial and sustainable reduction of 
violence against women.

Media personalities and development activists came up with the observation 
while addressing a half-yearly report presentation and view-sharing meeting 
related to violence against women at Hotel Warisan in Rajshahi city today.

On behalf of its 'Awareness, Advocacy and Action for Gender Equal and Safe 
Spaces for Women and Children (AGNEE) Project', Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) 
organised the meeting supported by the European Union.

Legal Practitioner Mominul Islam Babu, Director of Paribartan Rashed Ibne 
Obayed, ASK District Manager Hasibul Hassan Pallab and Data Management 
Consultant Sabbir Islam addressed the meeting as resource persons 
disseminating their expertise on the issue.

On the occasion, a six-month report from September to February on sexual 
harassment and violence, rape, domestic violence, violence for dowry, 
domestic worker violence, violence against children and child killing was 
presented with respective figures in the district.

The discussants laid emphasis on concerted efforts of all government and non-
government entities concerned for establishing legitimate rights of women 
everywhere in the society.

Stopping violence against women has become an urgent need for freeing the 
society from the great loss together with achieving peace and prosperity in 
the society and nation.
 
Violence including the domestic ones against women is not only a loss to the 
victim but also to society and the nation as well.
 
With a changed social mindset, people should be educated for better and 
smooth access to all spheres of development.
 
The meeting was told that the present government of Prime Minister Sheikh 
Hasina has been working relentlessly for women development for the overall 
uplift of the country.
 
The government has adopted diversified programmes to enable womenfolk to 
contribute to take the nation forward spontaneously.

In his remarks, Advocate Mominul Islam put emphasis on both man and woman 
equal participation for achieving the SDGs by 2030 coupled with building 
smart Bangladesh by 2041.
 
He called for a concerted effort of all the government and non-government 
organisations concerned for freeing the women and children from all sorts of 
violence and repression.
 
Utmost emphasis should be given on physical and mental development of the 
children, he added.