Human Rights advocacy
Workshop
on combating domestic violence
Shaila
Shahid
Deeply
rooted patriarchal values in communities along with the
economic and physical insecurity of the majority of women
in the country, have become a significant barrier to accessing
justice. In order to break this barrier and help women
establish their rights as inseparable from human rights,
BNWLA incorporated provision of legal assistance as a
major service of the organization. As part of its program
BNWLA organized training workshop for trainers who are
working at local level for giving legal assistance to
the most vulnerable of domestic violence. The three day
workshop titled "Follow up training on domestic violence
" begins from May 29 to 31 , 2005 at Praboin Nibash,
Sherebangla, Agargaon, Dhaka. In her inauguration speech
advocate Salma Ali, executive director of BNWLA said that
women and children's basic rights in Bangladesh are still
unrealized for the most part of the country and the struggle
to overcome the odds in providing such marginalized persons
legal aid, education, economic opportunities and other
forms of support is still a matter of priority.Fauzia
Karim Firoz the former chairperson of BNWLA explained
the necessity and need for such kind of training and she
elaborately discussed the main goal and objectives of
the program "Combating Violence against Women and
Children" which is being supported by Manusher Jonno.
Chief executive Tanvir Jahan of DCHD, Pakistan shared
her experiences on combating domestic violence and discussed
the different form and format of violence against women.
Thousands
of destitute women in Bangladesh are passing their days
in a distress situation. They remain outside the orbit
of the justice system for many reasons. The main objective
of the workshop was to improve the socio-economic status
of women lawyers in the country and also to upgrade and
gain recognition for developing the professional skills
of the women lawyers engaged in providing services at
grass root level.
In
our country we have high quality laws and legislative
institutions and the system of mediation is elaborately
defined. However, good laws by themselves cannot guarantee
the rule of law and secure human rights. Despite constitutional
guarantees and carefully drafted laws, the reality of
of life for poor people at the grass root level, particularly
women and children are very different from the ideal and
expected conditions as promised by our legal system. It
is very clear that achieving law is not limited to the
mechanisms used by the executive branch of the country
for taking any measures, or to procedures for judicial
pronouncements and judgements.
The
participants at the workshop came to the point that that
although the Government of Bangladesh has taken sterm
measures to combat violence against women and children
with the help of the NGOs, CBOs and development partners,
but a lack of knowledge about human rights and existing
law makes the assurance of equitable justice more difficult
for ordinary people.
The
objectives of the workshop are mainly:
*acilitating the local stakeholders for improving women
and children's domestic, social, legal and economic status.
*Ensuring justice for all and combat violence against
women and children.
*Creating equal opportunities and equal rights for every
women and children in Bangladesh
*Establishing a working relationship and network with
law enforcing authorities, local people, local elected
bodies, and civil society as well as with other organisations.
*Enhancing the professional status and scope for Bangladeshi
women lawyers.
The
whole workshop was coordinated by project coordinator
Sadrul Hasan Majumder.
Advocate
Rehana Sultana, advocate Tauhida Khandakar, Nusrat Amin,
Proffessor, Law Department of Dhaka University spoke ate
the workshop on different topics.
In
most cases of violations the victim are unable to lodge
formal complaints. Different studies shows that most people
in the rural areas do not even know what sorts of services
and legal support, either from government and NGOs are
available for victims. Many miscreants are taking advantage
of this ignorance and ultimately the violation of human
rights is increasing alarmingly. In this respect BNWLA
is providing legal assistance through its central office
as well as it has been continuously contributed in critical
ways- from facilitating rescue, release and repatriation
of victims, advocating their rights, helping them to recover
and re-enter the mainstream of family life and the wider
society. All the participants shared their views and experiences
at the ending ceremony and expressed their firm strength
to combat violence against women and children.
The
author is working for Law Desk, The Daily Star
