Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Wednesday has called for strict and exemplary punishment in a fair judicial process for those directly or indirectly involved in violence against women and children.
In a press release issued Wednesday, on the eve of the 16-day global campaign on violence against women and children, the TIB observed that violence against women and children has turned into a an alarming condition in the country due to social crisis, financial instability, visible incompetence, neglect and bias of a portion of law enforcement agencies, protracted judicial process, insecurity and ongoing corona crisis and a nexus of wealth and power.
In most cases, it is not becoming possible to prevent crimes such as rape due to the lack of exemplary punishment for the perpetrators in a timely manner, the Bangladesh branch of Berlin-based anti-corruption watchdog.
In the statement, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the Covid-19 epidemic has multiplied the health crisis as well as violence against women.
Citing the statistics of non-governmental organisations which are providing legal assistance to women victims, he said the incidence of violence against women has risen by 70 per cent in March-April this year as compared to last year.
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