Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed :
At the First Latin American and Caribbean Feminist Conference in 1981, November 25 was established as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Around the world, this day is marked by marches, protests, and artistic expressions against gendered violence. The date of November 25 was chosen due to the 1960 assassination of the Mirabal sisters in the Dominican Republic. Known as “The Butterflies” (Las Mariposas), Patria, María Teresa, and Minerva fought against the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo in the Dominican Republic between 1930 and 1961.
And in 1993, the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna also recognized the day. The United Nations officially recognized the day on December 17, 1999. In Bangladesh, however, the day has been celebrated since 1997. According to a 2011 survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), 87 percent of women were victims of some form of abuse by their husbands. According to a special report by the United Nations, 60 percent of married women in Bangladesh are abused by their husbands or their families or both at some point in their lives.
According to the information of the police headquarters, from January to September of this year, a total of 12 thousand 769 cases have been filed under various sections of the Women and Children Torture Prevention Act, 2000 in police stations and courts across the country. Half of the cases are for rape and attempted rape. This number is 6 thousand 202. Among these cases, 4 thousand 332 cases of rape and 1 thousand 870 cases of attempted rape were reported. Apart from this, 3 thousand 208 cases of torture due to dowry, 47 cases of throwing inflammable substances, 3 thousand 287 cases of kidnapping and 25 cases of child hostages have been reported.
During that time, 136 women were killed due to dowry and 12 women and 11 children were killed after rape. In addition, seven out of every 100 women around the world are victims of some form of sexual violence, and according to the World Health Organization, seven percent of women are victims of direct rape. The picture of violence against women in all developed and underdeveloped countries is more inhuman. On the occasion of the day, various organizations of the country held various programs. Violence against women is increasing gradually. While it is true that women are moving forward, there is no denying that violence against women has also increased.
According to the information of the police headquarters, the number of cases of violence against women and children was the lowest in the police stations in August. 13 to 47 percent less cases this month compared to other months. There were 786 cases in January, 993 in February, 1 thousand 100 in March, 1 thousand 236 in April, 1 thousand 290 in May, 1 thousand 191 in June, 1 thousand 240 in July, 684 in August and 1 thousand 71 in September. Apart from this, 3 thousand 178 cases were filed in the police station based on the complaints received from the court.
We need a change in mentality to prevent violence against women. The youth of the country should play an active and conscious role in preventing violence against women. Parents, teachers and local political leaders and prominent people should play an active role in stopping child marriage. National policies and action plans should be adopted to curb the patriarchal culture and values that support the culture of violence against women. And to establish the dignity of women, the constitution of Bangladesh has provisions for equal rights of men and women. One law after another has been enacted to protect women’s rights and prevent women’s abuse. However, violence against women is increasing. But effective measures cannot be taken to prevent torture. The rate of torture is increasing gradually.
In spite of laws, the increase in violence against women may be due to limitations in the implementation of the laws and any errors in the implementation of the laws. Dowry Prohibition Act was enacted in 1980 as dowry demands and torture for dowry increased alarmingly. In addition, the Women and Child Abuse Prevention Act (Amendment 2003) was enacted in 2000 to prevent violence against women.
The fact is, crime cannot be suppressed by law alone. If that were the case, there would have been no violence against women and children in this country after tough laws like the Speedy Trial Act or the Prevention of Violence against Women Act are implemented. Crime is not suppressed only by passing laws or by imposing severe punishments. The law can be simple, the punishment can be light – the main thing is to ensure that the law is enforced and all criminals are punished.
Many stories of torture in this country are lost in the net of such injustices and irregularities. Not all incidents come to the media, nor are cases filed. Many victims cannot even file a lawsuit for various reasons. There is no courage to sue. It is not possible for them to meet the costs of the case. How much is the lawyer’s cost, travel cost and more? Apart from this, there is a complex process of law.
Finally, I would like to say that cases are not negotiable under the Suppression of Women and Children Act. But there is a compromise. There can be conflict between husband and wife for any reason. It is not right to file a case in all cases. Emphasis should be placed on how to solve the case with social and family support. Another thing is that the plaintiff-defendant often damages the case instead of justice by providing irrelevant information. A case should be filed based on the facts. The safety of victims and witnesses in the case is also important. Public awareness should be increased. We all have to come forward to fight back.
The author is Founder and Chairman, Jatiya Rogi Kallyan Society, columnist and researcher.
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