On 13 June 2026 at 11:00 a.m., Bangladesh Mahila Parishad organized a Citizen Dialogue at the Anwara Begum–Munira Khan Auditorium, 10/B/1 Segunbagicha, Dhaka, under the theme “Stand Against Violence Against Women and Children.”
The dialogue was chaired by Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad. The welcome address was delivered by Maleka Banu, General Secretary. On behalf of the Central Committee of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, the keynote statement was presented by Rekha Saha, Legal Aid Secretary.
The Chief Guest of the programme was Honourable Minister Mr. Abu Jafar Md. Zahid Hossain, MP, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Ministry of Social Welfare.
The Special Guests were Justice Krishna Debnath, Former Judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, and Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE).
The distinguished panel of discussants included Mofidul Hoque, eminent columnist and Trustee of the Liberation War Museum; Ms. Liza Begum, PSC, Deputy Commissioner, Women Support and Investigation Division, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP); Md. Kamal Uddin Majumder, Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS); Professor Rezaul Karim Sohag, Chairperson, Department of Criminology, University of Dhaka; Professor Dr. Mehjabin Haque, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, University of Dhaka; Salma Mahbub, Executive Director of B-SCAN; and Mainthin Promila, Treasurer of the Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples’ Forum.
During the open discussion, remarks were made by Selina Parveen of Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha, Maksuda Akhter Laily, National Council Member of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Hasina Akter from Karmojibi Nari, and Habibur Rahman, Staff Reporter of Bangladesh Pratidin.
Honourable Minister Mr. Abu Jafar Md. Zahid Hossain, MP stated that Bangladesh has many sound laws; however, challenges remain in their implementation and in prevailing social attitudes. He stressed that laws must be properly enforced and practised, and expressed concern over the erosion of ethical and moral values. He highlighted the important role of legal professionals in ensuring the rights of women and children.
The Minister further emphasized the need to expand adolescent clubs to strengthen the capacity of boys and girls, increase public awareness regarding the implementation and use of laws, and promote an inclusive society through awareness campaigns on the rights of women and children. Despite continuous efforts, violence against women and children remains widespread because the problem is deeply rooted in society.
He called for the modernization of forensic services, stronger protection for victims, a more proactive role for social media, and effective measures to eliminate drug abuse. The Government, he said, is committed to ensuring the positive use of technology. Referring to the sharp increase in violence against women in 2025, he stressed that the law must be allowed to function independently. While reaffirming the Government’s zero-tolerance policy towards violence and drug abuse, he acknowledged that delays in the justice system remain a major challenge. He also informed the audience that DNA laboratories are being established at the divisional level and One-Stop Crisis Centres (OCCs) are being expanded to all 37 medical colleges, with plans for further expansion to every district. He concluded by calling for collective efforts to ensure the rights of women and children and prevent violence.
Former Appellate Division Judge Justice Krishna Debnath stated that although Article 27 of the Constitution guarantees equality before the law, Article 41 often limits women’s rights in practice. She observed that discrimination begins from birth through certain religious practices and continues within the family, eventually contributing to violent behaviour. She noted that public attention typically follows incidents of violence only after media coverage and public protests, and emphasized that Bangladesh already has sufficient laws to address rape, but their effective implementation is essential.
Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of CAMPE, remarked that religion is still frequently used within families to undermine women’s rights. She expressed concern over the increasing incidence of cyberbullying and urged content creators to produce materials that challenge violence against women. She recommended that the Ministry of Information engage with internet service providers and content creators to address harmful online content. She also proposed incorporating messages against violence towards women into Friday sermons through the training of Imams, promoting gender-sensitive family education, and disseminating awareness messages through FM radio.
Mofidul Hoque, eminent columnist and Trustee of the Liberation War Museum, observed that Bangladesh is facing a profound social crisis. Referring to the recent Ramisa case, he said it had deeply shaken society and highlighted the need to examine the underlying causes of violence. He pointed to the growing negative influence of online platforms and the rise of juvenile gangs, stressing that legal enforcement alone cannot solve the problem. He called for stronger government and community engagement, greater promotion of cultural activities, responsible digital behaviour, and a nationwide movement against violence.
Ms. Liza Begum, PSC, Deputy Commissioner of the Women Support and Investigation Division, DMP, emphasized the importance of public awareness campaigns, effective law enforcement, and proper investigation of cases. She advocated for victim-centred policing, the establishment of victim support centres in every district, and nationwide awareness programmes to combat cyber violence.
Md. Kamal Uddin Majumder, Managing Director and Chief Editor of BSS, stated that no form of violence is acceptable in a healthy society. He observed that eliminating violence cannot be achieved by the state alone and stressed the importance of implementing laws while strengthening religious and social values to build moral character. He also highlighted the need to promote the positive use of social media.
Professor Rezaul Karim Sohag, Chairperson of the Department of Criminology, University of Dhaka, emphasized that alongside ensuring punishment for offenders, rehabilitation measures are also necessary. Rather than blaming survivors, he urged society to examine the social and family environments that contribute to violent behaviour. He further stressed the importance of ensuring justice for perpetrators and aligning national efforts with international standards for preventing violence.
Professor Dr. Mehjabin Haque, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, University of Dhaka, noted that beyond patriarchy and substance abuse, psychological factors also significantly contribute to violence. Childhood experiences, she explained, play a crucial role in shaping future behaviour. She therefore emphasized the need for a more humane and values-based education system.
Salma Mahbub, Executive Director of B-SCAN, stated that violence against women with disabilities often remains overlooked. She expressed concern over the growing erosion of human values and observed that widespread drug abuse and pornography contribute to criminal behaviour. She emphasized the importance of family education and fostering empathy, adding that a culture of impunity only encourages further violence.
Mainthin Promila, Treasurer of the Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples’ Forum, stated that a society’s progress depends largely on the condition and status of its marginalized and poor women. She emphasized that preventing violence against women and children requires coordinated action among multiple ministries. She noted that Indigenous women face multiple forms of discrimination based on both their gender and Indigenous identity and urged the State to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for all women.
Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, stated that Bangladesh is passing through an extremely challenging period with regard to violence against women and children. She expressed grave concern over the increasing incidents of murder and violence involving women and children and urged society to decide whether it wishes to continue down this path or build a safe future for children.
She stressed the need for sustained efforts to prevent violence, eliminate the culture of impunity, reform the justice system, curb criminalized politics, and ensure responsible governance of cyberspace. She called for continued resistance, protest, and strategic action, while urging all stakeholders to unite in creating a safe environment for every child.
Maleka Banu, General Secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, observed that women continue to be subordinated within Bangladesh’s patriarchal social structure. Referring to data from the previous five months, she noted that nearly 1,000 women and girls had experienced various forms of violence, reflecting an alarming rise in gender-based violence and impunity.
She further stated that political interests and the patronage of fundamentalist forces have increased insecurity across society, leaving no one, from children to older persons safe. Although legal reforms have been achieved through the women’s movement, effective implementation remains weak. The culture of impunity, she warned, continues to encourage violence and hinders the development of a humane and just society.
She concluded by emphasizing that preventing violence against women should not remain the responsibility of the women’s movement alone but must be recognized as a shared responsibility of the State and all citizens.
The Citizen Dialogue was attended by approximately 120 participants, including representatives from various organizations, leaders and members of the Central Committee of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, officials, and journalists from both print and electronic media. The programme was moderated by Rabea Khatun Shanti, Secretary for Movement Affairs of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
