On 12 March 2026 at 6:30 PM (Bangladesh time), Bangladesh Mahila Parishad organized an online parallel event titled “Justice Beyond the Courtroom: Structural Barriers Facing Women and Girls in Bangladesh” at the Commission on the Status of Women 70th Session Forum. The discussion focused on women’s access to justice, structural barriers, violence against women and girls (VAWG), and the role of institutions and civil society in Bangladesh.
The session was moderated by Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, while the welcome address was delivered by Maleka Banu, General Secretary of the organization
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The keynote paper was presented by Fowzul Azim, Retired Senior District and Sessions Judge and Former Chief Research Officer of the Law Commission of Bangladesh. In his presentation, he highlighted that women and girls in Bangladesh continue to face significant structural barriers in accessing justice. Although the Constitution and legal framework guarantee women’s rights, patriarchal attitudes, economic dependency, limited legal awareness, and institutional weaknesses continue to hinder many women from obtaining justice.
Referring to recent national survey data from the United Nations Population Fund and the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, he noted that more than three-quarters of women in Bangladesh experience some form of violence during their lifetime. He emphasized that ensuring effective justice requires not only functioning courts but also stronger community initiatives, accessible legal aid services, and greater institutional accountability.
During the discussion, the role of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad in supporting women’s access to justice was also highlighted. In 2025, the organization received 990 complaints, providing legal advice in 850 cases. Through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, 473 cases were initiated, nearly half of which reached peaceful settlements. These efforts helped women recover more than BDT 6.3 million in dower (denmohor). In addition, 232 criminal and family cases were pursued, and 469 deputations and memorandums were submitted to relevant authorities demanding justice in cases of violence against women.
The organization’s shelter center, Rokeya Sadan, continues to provide temporary shelter, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation services for survivors of violence.
During the discussion, Rehana Perven, Former Secretary, emphasized that despite progress in women’s education and employment, structural barriers still significantly limit women’s access to justice in Bangladesh.
Abdur Razzaque Khan,PHD, Associate Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka, highlighted the important role of the media in raising public awareness, amplifying survivors’ voices, and challenging discriminatory social norms to ensure justice for women and Girls.
In her concluding remarks, Dr. Fauzia Moslem stated that although rape is a criminal offense under Bangladeshi law, attempts to resolve such cases through informal mediation still occur in society. She stressed that building social awareness and strengthening feminist movements and networks are essential to establishing a gender-sensitive justice system.
Representatives from international organizations, including the International Women Peace Group and the Nordic Consulting Group, along with journalists, government representatives, and leaders and members of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, participated in the online session.
