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Violence threatens women's economic potential

Says paper presented at Dhaka University Friends Association seminar

Star Business Report
It will be a challenge to increase women's participation in the labour force and in economic activities while violence against women and children continues unabated, according to a paper.
Moreover, advancements such as the number of females in the labour force increasing by nine lakh to two crore in 2016-17 cannot be retained unless adequate safety is ensured, said Shanjida Khan Ripa, one of the authors.
She presented the paper at the Cirdap auditorium in the capital yesterday during a seminar organised by the Dhaka University Friends Association, comprising the 1995-96 session’s alumni, on the state and society's role in combating violence and rape.
The co-authors are Quamrun Mahmud and Zahid KabirTitu.
The paper said the Women and
Children Repression Prevention Act 2000 was used to record 3,961 cases against alleged rapists in 2017 while some 17 women either died or were killed following the crimes.
It suggested proper implementation of laws, legal aid and support from society for victims, introduction of character education, self-defence training for women and raising awareness at all levels of society.
The paper observed that the child victims were aged three to 14 years while the perpetrators above 40 years. It said that incidents of rape were high in slum areas and that substance abuse, particularly of yaba, triggered rape.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki said the government was carrying out various activities to combat the violence and ensure economic empowerment of women.
She stressed increasing awareness, particularly among men, on early
marriage.
Absence of good governance is one of the main reasons behind rape and violence against women, said Zainul Abedin, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association.
He said there were instances of victims being denied justice for the weak framing of cases and failure of witnesses to make court appearances, leading to many rapists walking scot-free.
Sanzida Akhter, chairman of the Department of Women and Gender Studies, said existence of patriarchy and notions of masculinity in society was one of the causes of rape.
Khushi Kabir, secretary of Nijera Kori, a non-government organisation, said despite many women-friendly government steps and framing of laws, violence continues.
She recommended identifying barriers to the proper implementation of the laws.