The organisation in a report based on newspaper analysis said a total of nine families fell victim to fatwas in January this year alone.

Leaders of the organisation at a press conference at the National Press Club expressed their concern over the rise of such practices. The number of such incidents may be more than what the statistics show as many families hush up the incident fearing more disgrace, they said.

The speakers at the press conference pointed out that there are no specific laws against fatwa or fatwabaj (people who deliver the decree). As a result the fatwabaj take the advantage and continue to oppress people, especially women.

General Secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Ayesha Khanom said, "Often political leaders seem to be unwilling in taking initiatives against these people's repression of women fearing vote loss during elections."

President Hena Das, vice-presidents Bela Nobi, Selina Khaleq were also present in the conference among other members of the organisation.

The leaders demanded changes in the constitution to establish a more secular society as they think the existing constitution incite fundamentalism and repression of women.

The government should take initiatives to investigate these incidents through the concerned district commissioner (DC) and superintendent of police (SP). They also laid emphasis on the role of media in changing the mindset of people in this regard.