Strong social movement a must to combat rape: Fakhrul

LGRD, and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said laws and government initiatives alone are not sufficient to prevent rape, child abuse, and killings, emphasising that a strong nationwide social movement is essential to combat these crimes effectively, report agencies.
He made the remarks in a post shared on his personal Facebook profile on Thursday morning.
Fakhrul said families, schools, madrasahs, teachers, religious leaders, media, social organisations and every citizen must come forward to address the issue.
"We must teach our children respect, humanity, responsibility and the dignity of women. Ensuring the safety of our children means securing the future of Bangladesh," he said.
The BNP leader said incidents of rape, child abuse and killings are not isolated events, but alarming reflections of long-standing moral degradation, social irresponsibility and the rapid decline of human values over the years.
"We are committed to continuing all-out efforts against these inhuman crimes and, to building a safe Bangladesh where our children can grow up without fear," he said.
Meanwhile, BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu has alleged that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is responsible for many of the irregularities and wrongdoings occurring in different sectors of the country.
"If I mention the name, everyone will recognise them. They can never stay with the trust and confidence of people. They have no significant public support, let alone any possibility of forming a government. They use Islam and at the same time act against Islam. In politics, they have nothing except lies. That group is Jamaat-e-Islami," he said.
He made the remarks while addressing a discussion organised at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital, marking the 18th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Pharmacy Association (BNPA).