Accessibility to law remains a challenge for women and young girls in the country despite a number of laws and guidelines to protect citizens’ rights, said experts at an event on Thursday.
They also urged experts to stop victim-blaming and blame the perpetrators instead during the Intergenerational Dialogue titled 'Challenging Fear of Violence: Understanding the Legal Framework', organised by the Plan International Bangladesh.
Prof Dr Shahnaz Huda, Department of Law, University of Dhaka, conducted the analysis, commissioned by Plan International Bangladesh, and shared it at the event.
In her analysis, Prof Huda mentioned that girls often miss out on utilising their full potential due to fear of violence. This fear results in depression.
She said there are a number of laws and guidelines to protect citizens’ rights but accessibility to those is a challenge.
“Culture of impunity is another obstacle which creates fear. Raising awareness about rights, ensuring implementation and accessibility of law can help us to challenge the fear of violence,” she added.
The Chief Guest of the dialogue, Rasheda K Chowdhury, Executive Director, Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) said, underprivileged ones need to be supported to come forward.
Not everyone receives equal opportunity to receive standard education. Despite having potential, many cannot achieve it due to lack of opportunities and environment, she continued.
Youth representative Taifa said, “On the way to the university I often face negative comments. Even though I protest a number of times, I find many of the girls do not have the courage in such a situation.”
Zinat Ara Huq, Executive Coordinator of We Can, said, “Fear starts from home where girls are chained to different rules that create fear and dependency. This chain streteches from school to social to the state level. To prevent this, girls need to be made aware of existing laws and regulations, helpline numbers and different organisations to avail support when required.
A recent study by Plan International Bangladesh, conducted on some 10 thousand people, found that 81.6 per cent of the respondents reported being victims of sexual harassment at public places.
86.8 per cent reported facing violence at the domestic level. 74 per cent said they faced sexual-mental harassment and comments from their seniors and teachers while 56 per cent fell prey to sexual misconduct at the workplace.
