Women, children not fully safe anywhere in the country: Mohila Parishad

In the first seven months of this year (January-July), 1,667 women and children have been victims of violence in the country, including 292 women and girls who were raped. Bangladesh Mohila Parishad has said these statistics prove that women and children are no longer safe anywhere in the country. However, the organisation's leaders stressed that women cannot be confined indoors through fear — they will remain organised to claim their rights.

The remarks were made at a human chain programme in front of the National Press Club on Sunday afternoon. The programme was held simultaneously across all district branches of the organisation at its call.

Organisation President Fauzia Moslem presided over the programme. She said the data they have is based on reports from 14 newspapers, and the actual picture of violence against women may be even more alarming. She questioned how much the right to live safely for women is ensured in Bangladesh.

General Secretary Maleka Banu expressed concern that the trend of violence is not declining. She called on not just the government but every citizen — including families, society, law enforcement, the judiciary, political leadership, media and civil society — to take responsibility for ensuring women and children's safety.

Other speakers included Joint General Secretary Masuda Rehana Begum, Movement Secretary Rabeya Khatun Shanti, Legal Aid Secretary Shamima Afroz Irene, Organising Secretary Kaniz Fatema Togor, and Legal Advocacy and Lobby Director Dipti Shikdar. The programme was conducted by Networking and Advocacy Director Jona Goswami.

Representatives of various organisations expressed solidarity, saying rising violence against women is alarming the entire society. They alleged that women have been made the primary targets in every violent incident, driven by deep-rooted patriarchal attitudes and discriminatory mindsets that refuse to recognise women as full human beings.

Speakers demanded stronger social movements, proper enforcement of laws and strict implementation to curb violence against women and children.