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HUMAN RIGHT S advocacy

Workshop on combating domestic violence

SHAILA SHAHID
DEEPLY rooted patriarchal values in communities along with the economic and physical insecurity of the majority of women in the country, have become a significant barrier to accessing justice. In order to break this barrier and help women establish their rights as
training and she elaborately discussed the main goal and objectives of the program "Combating Violence against Women and Children" which is being supported by Manusher Jonno. Chief executive Tanvir Jahan of DCHD, Pakistan shared her experiences on combating domestic violence and discussed the different form and format of violence against women.
inseparable from human rights, BNWLA incorporated provision of legal assistance as a major service of the organization. As part of its program BNWLA organized training workshop for trainers who are working at local level for giving legal assistance to the most vulnerable of domestic violence. The three day workshop titled "Follow up training on domestic violence " begins from May 29 to 31 , 2005 at Praboin Nibash,
Sherebangla, Agargaon, Dhaka. In her inauguration speech advocate Salma Ali, executive director of BNWLA said that women and children's basic rights in Bangladesh are still unrealized for the most part of the country and the struggle to overcome the odds in providing such marginalized persons legal aid, education, economic opportunities and other forms of support is still a matter of priority.Fauzia Karim Firoz the former chairperson of BNWLA explained the necessity and need for such kind of
Thousands of destitute women in Bangladesh are passing their days in a distress situation. They remain outside the orbit of the justice system for many reasons. The main objective of the workshop was to improve the socio-economic status of women lawyers in the country and also to upgrade and gain recognition for developing the professional skills of the women lawyers engaged in providing services at grass root level.
In our country we have high quality laws and legislative institutions and the system of mediation is elaborately defined. However, good laws by themselves cannot guarantee the rule of law and secure human rights. Despite constitutional guarantees and carefully drafted laws, the reality of of life for poor people at the grass root level, particularly women and children are very different from the ideal and expected conditions as promised by our legal system. It is very clear that achieving law is not limited to the mechanisms
used by the executive branch of the country for taking any measures, or to procedures for judicial pronouncements and judgements.
The participants at the workshop came to the point that that although the Government of Bangladesh has taken sterm measures to combat violence against women and children with the help of the NGOs, CBOs and development partners, but a lack of knowledge about human rights and existing law makes the assurance of equitable justice more difficult for ordinary people. The objectives of the workshop are mainly: = Facilitating the local stakeholders for improving women and children's domestic, social, legal and economic status.
= Ensuring justice for all and combat violence against women and children.
= Creating equal opportunities and equal rights for every women and children in Bangladesh
= Establishing a working relationship and network with law enforcing authorities, local people, local elected bodies, and civil society as well as with other organisations.
= Enhancing the professional status and scope for Bangladeshi women lawyers.
The whole workshop was coordinated by project coordinator Sadrul Hasan Majumder.
Advocate Rehana Sultana, advocate Tauhida Khandakar, Nusrat Amin, Proffessor, Law Department of Dhaka University spoke ate the workshop on different topics.
In most cases of violations the victim are unable to lodge formal complaints. Different studies shows that most people in the rural areas do not even know what sorts of services and legal support, either from government and NGOs are available for victims. Many miscreants are taking advantage of this ignorance and ultimately the violation of human rights is increasing alarmingly. In this respect BNWLA is providing legal assistance through its central office as well as it has been continuously contributed in critical ways- from facilitating rescue, release and repatriation of victims, advocating their rights, helping them to recover and re-enter the mainstream of family life and the wider society. All the participants shared their views and experiences at the ending ceremony and expressed their firm strength to combat violence against women and children.
The author is working for Law Desk, The Daily Star