Ensure justice to violence victim women: CJ

Chief Justice M Muzammel Hossain urged Friday all concerned to be more cautious and responsible so that the women who fall victims to violence get justice, reports UNB.

He made the call while addressing the inaugural session of a workshop at a city hotel as the chief guest.

International Women Judges' Association and Bangladesh Women Judges' Association jointly organised the workshop on 'Family and Sexual Violence Victims' Rights to Justice'.

Observing that violence against women is a global phenomenon, the Chief Justice said only law is not enough to curb this menace. "All must be responsible and conscious, too", he added.

He also underscored the need for ensuring education, empowerment and employment for women to bring an end to violence against them. "All--from the family to society and state--must be mindful about it", he noted.

Muzammel Hossain observed that there will be a marked decline in violence against women if the media increasingly run anti-discrimination reports.

Speaking on the occasion, the country's first female justice, Nazmul Ara Sultana, currently an Appellate Division Judge of the Supreme Court, identified poverty as a barrier to justice for women although the constitution safeguards equal rights of both men and women.

She also said a violence-victim woman has to face harassment everywhere, including police stations.

Nazmun Ara noted that the persons concerned have no training as to how a sexually-harassed victim should be interrogated, saying court can play a greater role in meting out justice to such victims.