They said as domestic violence is an unrecognised offence the women have to file case against dowry which is a clear misuse of existing law.

The discussion titled 'Responsibilities of the country and society to resist domestic violence: Bangladesh perspective' was organised by Action Network to Combat Violence Against Women (ANCVAW) at the National Press Club in the city.

Moderated by Executive Director of Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) Sultana Kamal, the discussion was also addressed by women leaders Maleka Begum, Barrister Sara Hossain, Advocate Salma Ali of BNWLA and Dr Nusrat Amin.

"A new law should be enacted considering the family structures of the society, and this should be implemented properly," said Nusrat Amin.

"It needs revision of existing civil and criminal laws before enacting a new law, and at the same time the enforcers must have minimum knowledge on those laws," said Barrister Sara Hossain.

" Almost 90 percent cases of torture are of domestic violence and it takes place at every level in the society," Salma Ali said, adding that the women should be given support service including psychological counselling.

She said a research should be conducted seriously to find out whether new laws should be enacted or the reformed laws would do the needful.

Citing the example of fatwa, Sultana Kamal said patriarchal society justifies domestic violence through it although it is not exclusively private affairs.

"The issue of human rights is not a complex issue, rather the way of achieving rights is complex as the society and state is involved in it," Maleka Begum said, adding that it is the time to highlight the strategies to resist domestic violence.

Hosainul Haque of ANCVAW read out the keynote paper defining domestic violence, its impact on women and the responsibilities of the society to combat the violence.

Khaleda Khatun of USAID, Nadira Mallik of South Asia Partnership-Bangladesh, Zahura Fatema of Concern Women for Family Development, Mahbuba Mahmud of Naripakkha, Advocate Supriya Chakrabarty and representatives of different rights organisations were also present on the occasion.