On July 7, 2026, at 3:30 PM, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad organized a discussion meeting titled “Prevention and Protection of Violence Against Women and Children, Mental Health, and Way Forward” at the Anwara Begum-Munira Khan Auditorium of the organization’s central office in Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
The welcome address was delivered by Maleka Banu, General Secretary. A written statement on behalf of the central committee was presented by Sabikunnahar, Program Officer (Counseling) of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad. The session was moderated by Rekha Saha, Central Legal Aid Secretary of the organization.
Among the guests, speakers included Professor Dr. Mehzabin Haque, Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University of Dhaka; Professor Dr. M.M.A. Salauddin Kausar, Department of Psychiatry, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka; Dr. Mahbuba Kaniz Keya, Professor, Department of Psychology, Rajshahi University; Engela Khan, Psychologist; Sadeka Banu, Associate Professor and Counseling Psychologist, Department of Psychology, Rajshahi University; Nuzhat-e-Rahman, Clinical Psychologist; Dr. Sharmin Afrin, Department of Psychiatry, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka; Smaran Suhrid, Senior Counselor and Coordinator, Counseling and Wellbeing Center, BRAC University; and Counselor Mousumi Fatema Siraj.
Counselor Mousumi Fatema Siraj said that to address violence against women and girls, families and communities particularly in rural areas- are still not sufficiently aware. She emphasized the need to raise awareness about seeking support after violence and to prioritize the mental health of women and child survivors through awareness programs and counseling services.
Professor Dr. Mehzabin Haque of the University of Dhaka stated that greater emphasis should be placed on prevention rather than protection after incidents of violence against women and girls occur. She noted that individuals are not born as rapists or oppressors; rather, negative social processes turn them into perpetrators. Alongside parents, neighbors also have a role in child upbringing. A safe childhood ensures safe growth. Drawing from her experience working with psychological trauma, she added that survivors are often told to keep abuse hidden from their families, which further exacerbates their suffering.
Professor Dr. Mahbuba Kaniz Keya from Rajshahi University said that women’s empowerment and mental health are interrelated. She called for concrete action plans on how to provide mental health support to women survivors of violence. She noted that when female university students face sexual harassment, a safe environment cannot be created due to the patriarchal system. She also stressed the need for training on stress management for both survivors and service providers.
Professor Dr. M.M.A. Salauddin Kausar from Bangladesh Medical University emphasized the need for awareness-building activities on specific issues related to violence in schools and colleges. He stressed the importance of mental health campaigns in mass media and social media, focusing on creating thematic photo cards, podcasts, and reels.
Psychologist Engela Khan called for ensuring quality in counseling and trauma management services by forming a team of service providers. She also emphasized the need for professional development of counselors and training to improve the quality of services provided by those working in mental health and mental wellbeing.
Sadeka Banu, Associate Professor and Counseling Psychologist at Rajshahi University, said that platforms should be created in schools and colleges to discuss adolescent issues, and these topics should be integrated into the curriculum. She also stressed the importance of expanding mental health support services beyond Dhaka.
Clinical Psychologist Nuzhat-e-Rahman suggested that mental health support units would be highly beneficial. She called for coordinated efforts among organizations providing mental health services and emphasized the need to pay attention to the mental wellbeing of service providers through group counseling.
Smaran Suhrid, Senior Counselor and Coordinator at BRAC University’s Counseling and Wellbeing Center, shared that initially, university students were hesitant to seek mental health support due to fear of social stigma. However, this has now improved, and the number of service recipients has increased, with 70% being female students. He pointed out that the number of service providers needs to increase, as they are insufficient compared to the number of service seekers.
Dr. Sharmin Afrin from Bangladesh Medical University noted that mental health care does not receive adequate attention in our country’s context. The psychological wounds caused by violence do not heal easily. She mentioned various types of mental health conditions and stressed the need to establish an institutional referral system to ensure healthcare for such patients.
Maleka Banu, General Secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, in her welcome address, stated that violence against women is not only a human rights violation but also a serious public health issue. Continuous violence severely damages the mental health of women and girls, hindering their normal lives, productivity, and development. She emphasized the need to prioritize comprehensive mental health services and support alongside addressing mental illness. The recent increase in suicide rates has raised deep concern about the mental health situation. Bangladesh Mahila Parishad believes that alongside preventing violence, mental health protection must be considered a national priority.
In her concluding remarks, Dr. Fauzia Moslem said that mental health must be given equal importance at every stage of preventing, remedying, and addressing violence against women. She emphasized adopting an integrated action plan that takes into account the mental health of three parties: survivors, perpetrators, and service providers. She also called for expanding mental health services and awareness activities at the district and sub-district levels. She highlighted the need for positive parenting programs for guardians, sensitivity training for law enforcement agencies and judicial personnel, and regular training on mental health for staff. She also expressed that ensuring the mental wellbeing of service providers working with horrific incidents of violence is crucial. She further stated that awareness-building efforts to prevent violence must continue, and the social foundations of violence must be dismantled.
The discussion meeting was attended by approximately 40 participants, including central committee leaders, secretaries, and officials of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
