Media urged to make people aware about their rights

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Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed on Thursday urged the media to make people aware about the existing laws aimed at preventing violence against women and ensuring their rights, reports UNB. "Laws are there to deal with violence against women. So, it's the responsibility of the media to make people aware of those. Rights groups should also take steps in this regard," he told a seminar at a city hotel. RDRS Bangladesh, a non-government organisation, in cooperation with the Netherland government organised the seminar titled 'Pragmatic Limitation of Existing Laws to Prevent Violence Against Women and Children'. Chaired by chief executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association (BELA), the seminar was addressed, among others, by president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Ayesha Khanam, Barrister Sara Hossain, executive director of Steps Towards Development Ranjan Karmakar. Speaking as the chief guest, Shafique said the government has formed special committees at union parishad and upazila levels to provide legal support to women and children. District judges have also been asked to dispose of the cases related to women and children affairs faster than other cases, he said. About child marriage, the Law Minister said mass awareness must be created so that no body can arrange child marriage under any circumstances. About Hindu laws, he said Hindu community leaders are not willing to amend their existing inheritance law. "They've asked me not to make the registration of Hindu marriages mandatory."