Women’s inclusion in state systems key to justice

Speakers at a roundtable yesterday urged strict enforcement of existing laws rather than introducing new ones, calling for swift and exemplary punishment for offenders to prevent violence against women.

They said effective implementation of even 60 percent of Bangladesh’s existing laws would significantly reduce the need for new legislation.

Participants emphasised that justice cannot be achieved unless women are integrated at every level of the system -- from law enforcement and healthcare to public services and the judiciary. 

They called for balanced representation, ideally 60-40 or at least 55-45, warning that discussions without inclusion would bring little change.

The roundtable, titled “Electoral Commitments on Addressing Discrimination against Women and Rights in the Family,” was held at BRAC Centre Inn in Mohakhali. 

It was jointly organised by the Embassy of Denmark, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), The Daily Star, and the Centre for Policy Dialogue.

In her opening remarks, CPD Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun highlighted gaps in law enforcement and victim support, particularly affecting marginalised groups such as persons with disabilities. 

She stressed the need to align policy research with political commitment to secure lasting legislative reforms.

Moderated by Supreme Court lawyer Sara Hossain, the session questioned political party representatives on their plans to address violence against women, mobilise resources, improve access to family courts, tackle legal discrimination in families, and ensure women’s representation in justice institutions.

Mahmuda Habiba, Member, BNP media cell, said justice is impossible without women’s integration into the system. She noted that structural barriers prevent effective enforcement of existing laws.

“Restoring victims to a reasonably normal life requires an urgently needed dedicated cell -- already included in BNP’s planning -- where cases can be registered and addressed swiftly,” she said.

She also emphasised early education for girls on personal, online, and physical safety at school and college levels, similar to basic safety training for children.

She added that the party aims to establish a one-stop, umbrella solution covering victim support services across sectors.

Humayra Noor of the NCP proposed structural reforms, including all-female police cells, guaranteed anonymity for victims, improved daycare facilities, and safe public transport. 

She said her party plans a Tk 10,000 crore allocation for women and youth to promote entrepreneurship through simplified registration, tax exemptions, and financial independence. 

She also emphasised the need to move beyond token gestures towards genuine empowerment, sharing targeted support plans in education -- especially through loans -- and in science and technology.

She said her party advocates increasing women’s seats in parliament to enable those who have lagged to step forward.

Luna Noor of the Communist Party of Bangladesh called for ratifying international human rights charters and introducing a uniform family code, noting that ideological barriers must also be dismantled.

Prof Habiba Akter Chowdhury, political secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami, stressed comprehensive education and political accountability to ensure women receive their rights and protection from violence.

On legal discrimination, she said Bangladesh already allows communities to follow their respective personal laws.

BNP’s Mahmuda Habiba noted that political parties must handle these sensitive laws cautiously, as change cannot happen overnight. She, however, emphasised that inclusive development and equal opportunities are essential.

She argued that reserved seats alone are ineffective without transparency and merit-based selection, calling instead for minimum candidate quotas and leadership opportunities for women.

Maheen Sultan, senior fellow at BRAC Institute of Governance and Development, identified access to legal information, dedicated facilitators, and financial independence as key to survivor empowerment. 

She warned that women without livelihoods are often forced back into abusive situations and called for state-funded social protection and legal aid.

Senior lawyer Fawzia Karim Firoze said political promises must be backed by research and evidence-based planning. 

She said judges are often unsure about the type of orders to issue, leaving victims without the protection they are entitled to.

She stressed the need for an effective screening mechanism in judicial recruitment and examinations to ensure integrity, and called for clear public information displays in courts and government offices.

She also highlighted that key service institutions, including victim support centres, lack a sustainable revenue framework, which results in uncertainty and disruption. 

Mitali Jahan, programme manager at BRAC, argued that strong political commitment is required to transform legislation into tangible protection.

Naripokkho member Rina Roy urged the state to act as the primary guarantor of rights and called for a Uniform Family Code to ensure equality.

She demanded that political parties move beyond verbal promises and include written commitments in their manifestos to eliminate all forms of legal discrimination against women.

"Ferdous Ara Rumee, Organiser, Sampriti Jatra; Prapti Taposhi, organiser of Shekol Bhangar Podojatra; Banani Biswas, general secretary of Bangladesh Dalit and Indigenous Women Federation; Karishma Jahan, Supreme Court advocate; and Tanjim Ferdous, head of Strategic Partnership at The Daily Star, also spoke at the event, among others."