Equal rights of women in every sphere of the society and protection from all forms of violence and abuse are preconditions for ensuring human rights, he said at a women lawyers' convention.

Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) organised the convention at Sheraton Hotel in the city to celebrate its 25th founding anniversary.

The chief justice called on all to put an end to violence against women to uphold the Constitution as it has guaranteed equal rights for all citizens.

He also put emphasis on a change in attitude towards women to successfully combat violence against them.

Speaking as special guest, Swedish Ambassador Borje Mattsson called for promoting gender equity to achieve development.

Although many countries across the world have accepted the gender equity as a tool for development, equal rights of women are yet to be established in every sphere of national activities, he said.

"Despite a rise in women's participation in various sectors of Bangladesh, we still see everyday in the newspapers that women are being tortured in various ways," the ambassador said.

Borje Mattsson also stressed the need for raising awareness about violence against women.

Presenting a keynote paper, BNWLA Advisor Fawzia Karim Firoze blamed the lack of proper enforcement of laws for repression on women.

Violence against women at workplace, including sexual harassment, have increased alarmingly, she said and called for a change in the method of investigating women repression case to ensure justice.

In another keynote paper, Chandreyi Alam, advocate of Calcutta High Court, said cases involving violence against women must not be dealt with as adversarial litigation but on a social aspect.

A judge should consider the case on the basis of its social context, Alam said.

Executive Director of BNWLA advocate Salma Ali delivered the welcome address while its President Sigma Huda presided over the inaugural session.

Communications Minister Nazmul Huda, Advocate Ernestine Christaline Pintoo of Pakistan and Norwegian Ambassador Aud Lise Norheim also spoke.