Dhaka, Bangladesh – As part of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Bangladesh commenced a pivotal national dialogue in Dhaka on November 24, 2024, aimed at bolstering the legal measures to safeguard women and girls from violence. This conference was initiated by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, in partnership with both local and international bodies including the United Nations in Bangladesh, spotlighting an urgent call for meticulously crafted laws and measured enforcement.
Associate Professor of Law at the University of Dhaka, Taslima Yasmin, delivered the keynote address, advocating for a reinforced Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Act. She proposed the integration of criminal sanctions, child protection norms, and pre-trial conciliation mechanisms. Yasmin also underlined the absence of a specific law addressing sexual harassment in workplaces and educational institutions, criticizing the use of ambiguous terms like “modesty” in existing statutes which, she argued, hinder effective legal recourse.
Sharmeen Murshid, Adviser to the Ministry, pushed for decisive actions, announcing strategic plans to deploy trained social workers in over 70,000 villages across the country, along with training 150,000 youth to tackle gender-based violence and other social issues at the grassroots level. Murshid emphasized the inclusion of men and boys in these initiatives, framing violence against women as a broad societal issue.
The gathering saw a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, civil society leaders, advocates for women’s rights, and private sector representatives. Gwyn Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator, emphasized the need for a collective commitment to substantive, action-oriented change, urging the allocation of resources essential for the implementation of protective laws and supporting survivors.
Michael Miller, Ambassador for the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, highlighted past judicial successes but urged the government to adopt and enforce a draft bill aimed at preventing sexual harassment, calling for amendments to bring domestic violence laws up to international standards.
The dialogue also delved into the pressing issues at the grassroots level such as gaps in law enforcement, limited access to legal support, and the exclusion of marginalized groups, including women with disabilities. Salma Mahbub from B-Scan pointed out the legislative oversights regarding women with disabilities in the 2013 Disability Act. Discussions also tackled the misapplication of GBV laws and stressed the need for public awareness campaigns.
Concrete recommendations emerged from the dialogue such as appointing sign language interpreters in courts to ensure accessibility, financial support for women in agriculture, addressing cybercrimes, criminalizing marital rape, and promoting government legal aid funds through public campaigns.
In her closing remarks, Shireen Haque, a founding member of Naripokkho and chair of the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, highlighted the crucial role of cultural transformation in combating the systemic oppression of women, and called for active participation in shaping a safe, inclusive future for all women.
Through this national dialogue, Bangladesh not only reaffirmed its commitment to international frameworks for women’s safety but also spurred a collective momentum among all societal sectors to transform these deliberations into actionable realities, aiming to create a secure and equitable environment for women and girls throughout the nation.
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