National Conference to End Violence against Women and Girls

On 27 November, 2021 Amrai Pari Paribarik Nirjaton Protirodh Jot (We CAN) organized a national conference to end violence against women to stop all forms of violence against women and girls. Moreover, 300 participants from all over the Bangladesh joined the conference, among them 100 are youth, energetic, and potential student change maker. At the conference CSOs, family groups, influencers, government representatives, academics, media, private sector and development partners stepped to amplify and encourage women and girl’s voices, challenges and demands. They stood with 09 points demand of WE CAN and engaged with mass signing.

The conference was chaired by Sultana Kamal, Chairperson of Amrai Pari and the running planning minister, M.A. Mannan was the chief guest. Aroma Dutta, Member of Parliament, Md. Golam Kibria, Senior District Judge, and Director (Training) attended as the guest of honour.  Besides, Oxfam's head of Gender Justice and Social Inclusion Mahmuda Sultana Shahin Anam, Amrai Pari Co-chair was the spokesperson. The conference was moderated by We Can chief coordinator Jinat Ara Haque.

Before the prime conference, 02 research and study papers on ‘Child Marriage’ and ‘Violence against Women’ were disseminated in seminars by national and international expert. Sayeed Ferdous and Parveen Jolly, Associate Professors of Jahangirnagar University presented two papers in front of the youth change makers and development practitioners.

Five "Amrai Pari Changemakers" were also awarded for their work in preventing violence against women at the conference.

The Valuable quotes from Guest:

Sultana Kamal, Chairperson of Amrai Pari said “Women have been empowered but equal status for them is yet to be achieved.”

Shahin Anam, Co-chairperson of Amrai Pari mentioned on her deliver speech, “Even after fifty years of independence, the freedom of the people of Bangladesh has been curtailed by gendered violence.The tendency to not accept diversities has led to widespread discrimination and violence, we don't change ourselves, police or law and order alone cannot change anything,"

Senior district judge and director (training) at the Judicial Administration Training Institute Md Golam Kibria said, “Defendant women are not treated well in our society, which is why they want to conceal the issue of rape when they become victims of it, often making it too late for them to avail justice. We must establish gender sensitivity among investigation officers and monitor the effectiveness of laws relating to women and children. State must take responsibility for the victims in cases where the convicted is unable to provide compensation to them.”

M.A.Mannan, Planning Minister of Bangladesh said, ‘It is needed to all to work together to prevent violence against women”.

Outcomes

• Valuable findings on ‘Child Marriage’ and ‘VAWG’ from 2 research papers were disseminated in seminars by national and international expert.
• 09 points demand of WE CAN to end VAWG highlighted in the conference.
• 300 Change makers, CSOs, alliances, lawyer’s forum, and lead organizations of 39 districts, influencers, academics and development practitioners participated and raised voice to eliminate GBV and VAWG.
• Media, policy makers, public authorities and development practitioners acknowledged procrastination of justice and social political attitude towards women is hindering the justice.

Media Coverage 18 National Print, Electronic and online covered the news of National Conference. Some news link is given below

• https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/capital/শুধু-ক্ষমতায়ন-নয়-নারীর-সমান-অবস্থান-নিশ্চিত-করতে-হবে
• https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/dispose-cases-quickly-protect-survivors-during-trial-2904646
• https://www.dainikamadershomoy.com/post/349625 
• https://www.jugantor.com/suranjona/492394/রাষ্ট্রীয়ভাবে-ঐক্যবদ্ধ-হয়ে-কাজ-করতে-হবে-পরিকল্পনামন্ত্রী

Date: 27 November, 2021 Venue: Liberation War Museum, Dhaka