Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Tuesday expressed support for establishing a Women’s Commission and said research-based recommendations from civil society could help refine laws related to women’s rights.
He made the remarks at a national seminar organized by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) at the Bangladesh Military Museum in the capital, marking International Women’s Day 2026 under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls” and MJF’s theme “Break Barriers. Build Justice.”
The event brought together representatives from government institutions, embassies, development partners, international organizations, civil society groups and women’s rights organizations to discuss persistent barriers preventing women and girls from accessing justice.
Speaking at the programme, the law minister said women are increasingly being targeted by extremist forces and emphasized the need to explore alternatives to inheritance rights without sidelining existing legal provisions. He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting human rights and women’s rights.
He also highlighted recent government initiatives, including the issuance of family cards in women’s names, aimed at strengthening women’s position within households and society.
Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, said that although women in Bangladesh have made notable progress in social and economic sectors, access to justice remains one of the country’s most serious shortcomings in addressing violence against women and girls.
Citing findings presented at the seminar, she noted that the conviction rate in rape cases remains below one percent, while nearly one million cases related to violence against women are currently pending.
She also referred to rising rape statistics, weak enforcement of child marriage laws and discriminatory legal provisions, including inequality in property rights. She urged the law minister to ensure tangible improvements in women’s access to justice.
The programme began with a stage monologue titled “Her Silent Trail,” performed by the BotTola Theatre Group, portraying the silence, trauma and resilience surrounding women’s and children’s struggles for justice.
Presenting the keynote, Ruma Sultana, programme coordinator at MJF, said International Women’s Day should not remain a ceremonial observance while survivors continue to face humiliation, delays and denial within the justice system.
She noted that police are often reluctant to register cases, domestic violence is still widely treated as a private family matter, and weak witness management and poor institutional coordination frequently delay justice.
Moderating the panel discussion, Banasree Mitra Neogi, director of rights and governance programmes at MJF, said systemic barriers, including a lack of transparency and weak accountability, continue to obstruct justice for survivors.
She added that violence against women takes multiple forms, ranging from domestic violence and rape to acid attacks and everyday insecurity, and stressed that meaningful justice will remain out of reach unless these structural barriers are addressed.
Representatives from legal aid and women’s rights organizations said obstacles often begin long before cases reach courtrooms and frequently persist even after convictions.
Rekha Saha of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad said survivors and their families often face intimidation, stigma and pressure to withdraw cases even after perpetrators are punished, leaving victims’ families living in fear.
Advocate Selina Akhter of Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) said rape cases require coordination among police, hospitals, witnesses and families, but survivors are often retraumatized by the legal process itself.
She added that evidence is sometimes destroyed early in the process, witnesses are difficult to secure, and accused individuals who obtain bail may pressure survivors and their families.
Nighat Seema of the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association (BNWLA) said the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010 remains underutilized due to low awareness and the continued normalization of domestic violence.
Barrister Priya Ahsan Chowdhury of the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) said many victims, particularly those from gender-diverse and marginalized communities, are discouraged from pursuing cases or face retraumatization due to weak legal support and inadequate institutional responses.
Among the distinguished speakers, Gitanjali Singh, country representative of UN Women Bangladesh, said that without justice, rights remain hollow, but with justice they become a source of power.
Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, warned that human rights are facing increasing threats globally and stressed that laws must protect people rather than deepen discrimination and insecurity.
Barrister Sara Hossain, honorary executive director of BLAST, said justice should not only be understood as punishment but also as accountability, rehabilitation and social transformation.
Md Daud Miah, director general of the NGO Affairs Bureau under the Prime Minister’s Office, acknowledged that although relevant laws exist, significant gaps remain and assured participants that their recommendations would be considered.
Reto Renggli, ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh, said progress on gender equality and women’s participation in policymaking has been significantly shaped by the persistent efforts of women’s rights activists.
Concluding the programme, Shaheen Anam called for recent women-friendly ordinances including legal measures addressing sexual harassment and protection to be converted into permanent laws and for discriminatory provisions to be reformed without delay.