Sharmin S. Murshid, Advisor to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs, said that violence against women and children in Bangladesh has reached epidemic levels; strict measures, including the formation of a Quick Response Team, are being taken to combat this.
New Dhaka Times: Desk Report
Violence against women and children in Bangladesh has reached epidemic proportions, according to Sharmin S. Murshid, Advisor to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs. She mentioned that Quick Response Teams are being formed under the leadership of Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), and their structural framework has already been finalized.
She made these remarks during a press briefing at the ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat on Thursday (July 3). She further disclosed that between June 20 and 29, a total of 24 rape incidents occurred across the country. Among these, a 60-year-old man raped a child, which she described as extremely alarming.
Advisor Sharmin stated, “I have been working on issues related to violence against women and children for the past 40 years. Governments have come and gone, but none have been able to resolve this crisis. The major reasons behind this are politics, drugs, mobile phones, and pornography.”
She added, “Sexual abuse of children is also taking place in madrasas, often going unnoticed. To prevent this, ministry personnel will visit schools and madrasas directly and ensure accountability.”
The advisor reported that in the past 10 to 11 months, the ministry’s toll-free hotline received 281,445 complaints. Among these, the serious cases have been addressed, and over a hundred women received counseling and legal support.
She also said, “Work to prevent violence against women and children will continue throughout the year. A Quick Response Team will be deployed within 24 hours of any incident. It is not enough for officials to stay at the district or upazila level; they must also reach out to unions and villages.”
Other Newspapers’ Headlines:
Ittefaq:
🔗 Violence Against Women and Children at Epidemic Level: Advisor Sharmin Murshid
Bangladesh Pratidin:
🔗 Violence Against Women and Children at Epidemic Level: Advisor
Kaler Kantho:
🔗 Violence Against Women and Children at Epidemic Level: Advisor Sharmin Murshid
Jugantor:
🔗 Quick Response Committee Being Formed to Prevent Violence Against Women and Children
Jago News 24:
🔗 Violence Against Women and Children at Epidemic Level: Advisor Sharmin Murshid