Reports violence against women in 24 hrs: Adviser

Staff Reporter :

Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid has directed officials of her ministry to submit reports on incidents of violence against women and children across the country within 24 hours of occurrence.

Speaking at a press conference at the Press Information Department (PID) in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday, she said that within 24 hours of receiving any such report, government officials will reach the victim and ensure all necessary medical treatment and legal assistance.

She announced that the 16-day global campaign to eliminate violence against women will begin tomorrow and continue until December 10. During this period, every officer and employee of the ministry will remain fully active in preventing violence against women.

“We do not interact with the media very often, but after today’s briefing, we plan to engage more regularly,” she said. Although the campaign originates from an international initiative, its relevance and importance in Bangladesh’s social and community context are profound, she added.

Murshid said, “We have witnessed political actors using violence against women as a tool to serve their interests – to grab land, to force families to flee, or to manipulate elections by intimidating communities. Women and children often become targets of such malicious political strategies. We must break this cycle.”

Recalling her long experience as an election observer, she said, “After observing elections for 25 years, I have seen the harsh realities women face. Women are subjected to violence both with reason and without reason. Even when simply walking down the street, they face harassment.”

The adviser noted that in a truly enlightened society, respect for women and children is inherent.
“When that respect erodes, society itself begins to fall apart. Over the past 16 years, in an authoritarian environment, we have seen extreme examples of this deterioration,” she said.

“A nation should be evaluated by how it perceives, protects, and safeguards its women and children,” she added.

Murshid also highlighted the courage displayed by women during the July mass uprising. “Nearly 70 percent of the participants on the streets were women. The entire nation – even the world – was astonished. Their bravery proved that women are in no way inferior to anyone,” she said.