30 January 2013, Dhaka. Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder and chairperson of BRAC, submitted a memorandum on increasing violence against women to the deputy speaker of National Parliament, Shawkat Ali on January 29, 2013. A gathering of civil society members, activists, academicians, students, journalists, lawyers and policy makers was arranged by the Prothom Alo Trust to address concerns on this critical issue and discuss a memorandum drafted to call for immediate measures to stop further violence against women.
Recently there has been a dramatic increase in the rate of women and child abuse, acid attacks, rape and murder. Often there is noticeable lack of proper steps taken in accumulating evidence and witness against those who have been arrested, helping many of the culprits to escape federal punishment. As such, the violence against women continues to increase. In the memorandum, a three-point demand was raised, stipulating proactive role by the law enforcement agencies to stop violence against women, exemplary punishments of the criminals by justice department, and improved laws to ensure justice for every incident.
The Prothom Alo Trust organised the meeting and procession in collaboration with Sommilito Sangskritik Jot, Muktijuddho Jadughor, Ain O Salish Kendra, Gono Shakkhorota Abhijan, Bangladesh Mohila Porishad, Acid Survivors Foundation, various development agencies, women foundations, cultural groups, Prothom Alo Bondhu Shova, and members of various other professional organisations. After the meeting at the Shahid Minar, where Sir Fazle read out the memorandum, a procession was held. A small representative team, headed by Sir Fazle, went forward to submit the memorandum to the deputy speaker.
