Dhaka: Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid announced the government's plan to deploy a quick response team dedicated to addressing issues of women repression and preventing related crimes. This announcement was made during a meeting focused on exchanging views with government officials and social leaders following a recent incident of rape in Muradnagar Upazila.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sharmeen S Murshid highlighted the existence of strict laws against women and children repression in the country, yet acknowledged that such crimes persist. She emphasized that repression of women and children constitutes a violation of human rights and underscored the government's commitment to establishing appropriate infrastructure to tackle these issues.
Murshid noted that the nature of violence against women and children is evolving, with criminals employing new methods to inflict harm in various settings, including family, workplace, public spaces, and cyberspace. She pointed out that women are increasingly becoming victims of cyberbullying and called for a collaborative effort between civil society organizations, the younger generation, and the government to eradicate these crimes.
In response to the incident in Muradnagar Upazila, a committee led by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) has been established to prevent and address repression of women and children at the grassroots level. Murshid indicated that this initiative would serve as a model to be replicated nationwide.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Prokash Kanti Chowdhury, Joint Secretary of the Women and Children Affairs Ministry, along with officials from the Cumilla district administration and Muradnagar Upazila, educators, members of the July warriors, and local journalists.