Webinar: Municipality mayors vow to support domestic violence victims

Municipality mayors in the country have made a commitment to provide support to the victims of domestic violence saying that the domestic violence on women increased across the country due to the ongoing pandemic.

The mayors were speaking at a webinar titled “Impact of Covid-19 on Safeguarding and Violence against Women” to mark the International Women’s Day on Sunday. 

Municipal Association of Bangladesh (MAB) organized the webinar in association with Livelihoods Improvement of Urban Poor Communities Project (LIUPCP), UNDP Bangladesh and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UK.

Md Khaled Hossain, joint secretary general of MAB and mayor of Madaripur municipality, presented the keynote speech at the webinar. 

He said violence against women increased drastically due to financial crisis, limited job opportunity amid the ongoing pandemic.

Referring to a study, Khaled said 40,000 women became victims of domestic violence between April and September in 2020. 

“Unfortunately, 40% of them were victims of domestic violence for the first time,” he added.

Anzuman Ara, mayor of Taukgaon municipality, said: “We gathered information at the household level to assist the victims of domestic violence. We are trying to provide all kinds of support to them.”

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatunnesa Indira said: “The government has already taken various initiatives to reduce violence against women. We have already given directives to the mayors, public representatives, community leaders to create awareness among people to prevent violence against women and children.”

“One of the main reasons for domestic violence is financial crisis. The government has announced 23 stimulus packages worth Tk1.25 lakh thousands while incorporating at-least seven programs for the marginal women,” she added.

Dewan Kamal Ahmed, president of MAB and mayor of Nilphamari Municipality presided over the webinar while Ram Chandra Das, director general of Department of Women Affairs; Abdul Mannan, project director of LIUPCP; Md Rafiqul Islam, secretary general of MAB; Fazlul Rahman, mayor of Moulvibazar municipality; Prof Abul Khayer, mayor of Laksham municipality; Anwer Ali, mayor of Kushtia municipality; Yugesh Pradhanang, international technical advisor at UNDP Bangladesh; Anwerul Haque, team lead, FCDO; and Kamrun Nahar, vice-president of Urban Development Journalist Forum Bangladesh, spoke at the webinar.