Implementation of law can stop violence against women: Experts

There are many laws in Bangladesh to prevent the growing trend of violence against women, but implementation of those is not satisfactory, reports BSS.
"There are more or less nine laws to stop violence against women in Bangladesh. But the execution of the laws is not satisfactory at all. The main reason behind it is ignorance of victims and concerned stakeholders about the law," Advocate Elina Khan, a leading human rights activist, told the new agency.
She noted that many laws create confusion among law enforcers and even in the junior lawyers to decide appropriate laws to deal with cases. "Bringing necessary amendments to the Penal Code could solve the problem," she observed.
Violence against women is a common incident in most of the societies whether it is physical or mental. It is a daily and often deadly fact of life for thousands of women and girls. As a result, violence against women is viewed as a normal phenomenon even from the women perspective.
Bangladesh women suffer multiple forms of violence, including domestic violence, rape, dowry deaths, sexual harassment, suicide, forced marriage, trafficking and other psychological and financial oppression.
Nowadays violence against women has been increasing. According to the statistics of Police Headquarters, a total of 21,291 incidents of violence against women took place in 2014 and the number in January, 2015 was 1,354.
Violence against women has been raised by 11 per cent in 2014 in comparison to previous year, according to the statistics of Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers Association (BNWLA).
A survey published by the United Nations (UN) Women in 2014 showed that 76 per cent women become victim of sexual harassment.
"Though Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000 contains very vigorous punishment, experience indicates that provisions can't effectively deter offenders or ensure their prosecution," Advocate Oliur Rahman said, adding that the law has been misused in many ways.
Previously, the domestic violence was considered as a personal issue and considered beyond the reach of the law. With enactment of the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010 it is no longer a mere personal issue, he also said.