Violence Against Adolescent

Child abuse is one of the most disturbing issues in our country that is hardly ever talked about. In her seminar paper titled "Violence Against Adolescent", Roksana Yasmin, coordinator of Breaking the silence, talked about the frightening sexual violence inflicted on children at home by family members, relatives or neighbours. Other seminar papers presented at the council were. "The Role of Grass Root Organisations for preventing Domestic Violence",  presented by professor Shahnaz Huda, a professor of the Department of law of Dhaka University. " Role of public and Local Government Bodies to Ensure Justice", presented by programme Manager of Manusher Jonno Foundation Ruma Sultana. "Financial Empowerment of women and prevention of Violence" presented by Executive Director of Nari Udyag Kendra Masuda Khatun Shefali. " Bibhinno pranitik jogoshthir Narir proti Shohingshota protiodhe koroniyo," presented by programme Manager of Manusher Jonno Foundation Mahua Leya Faliya and "Local Government Programmes to prevent violence Against Women" presented by Ranjan Karmakar, executive director of steps.

These papers fetured the nature of violence, limitations and obstacles on preventing any forms of violence in society.

In the open discussions, the grassroots workers and victims highly criticised the government agencies and NGO organizations such as the Ministry of women and children's Affairs, Ministry of Law, Ministry of Home, police, Jatio Mahila Shagstha and others for not doing their activities properly.

The last day of the programme highlighted several recommendations and suggestions from activists and NGO workers. Justice Mohammad Fazlul Karim of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, Home Minister Advocate Sahara Khatun, Law Minister Barrister Shafik Ahmend and Shaheen Anam, the Executive Director of Manusher Jonno were present at the seminar.

Even though more than 60 percent of the reproductive and productive contributions in society come from women, they are still most abused when it comes to maintaining their rights and integrity as individuals. Executive Director of Manusher Jonno, Shaheen Anam spoke about one of the most terrifying acts in society, women being abused inside their very homes by their own family members. Echoing Anam, Mitali from Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) said that home violence is one of the most common crimes committed against women and also the most ignored. "Existing laws should be made stronger to control domestic crimes against women. " she says "Because these kinds of crimes occur behind closed door, it becomes very difficult to prove them and hence the criminals are left unpunished." Like Mitali, many activists and workers from several organizations from all over the country spoke to the guests and speakers, and offered suggestions and recommendations to combat this crime. The recommendations include, formulating a law to check trafficking of women, ensuring joint efforts of the government and non-government organization in preventing violence, establishing a council to prevent violence in every district, implementing women to the property of parents and husband and ensuring participation of women in local government.