Do not promote rape culture

Speakers at a webinar said violence against women is perpetuated by trivializing rape, using misogynistic language and promoting rape culture.  

They were speaking at a webinar organized by Central Women's University marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, 2020, on Wednesday. 

Professor Parveen Hasan, vice chancellor of Central Women's University, said people in this society have a mindset to trivialize rape. 

“I do not think capital punishment will help controlling this rape rampant. We need to work on changing mindset that trivializes rape and eliminating rape culture,” she said

Referring to one MP's remark linking women's dresses to rape, she said, “When a member of the parliament promotes rape culture, common people tend to trivialize rape.”

She also said rape culture is perpetuated through the use of misogynistic language. 

Celebrated Rabindra Sangeet singer Rezwana Choudhury Bannya said women should be the protector of themselves instead of waiting for someone to protect them. 

“Women have been gaslighted for too long by the society that they are vulnerable and weak, therefore,  they need men as their protector,” she said.

Former state minister of cultural affairs Asaduzzaman Noor said many perpetrators take political shelter which perpetuates gender based violence. 

He added, “As we talk a lot about changing mindset to stop violence against women, we need to build reading habits to build a progressive generation.” 

Singer Elita Karim, said in a video message that marital rape is one of the aspects of violence against women that is less talked about and it is high time this issue should be brought to the forefront.

Renowned television personality and thespian Ferdousi Majumdar, said: “My heart bleeds when I see rapists are not sparing even a 7-year-old. Is this a way to show masculinity?” 

Noted women's rights activists Maleka Begum, chairperson of the Central Women's University, said students in Central Women’s University are now more open to talking about violence against women as the university has a very active committee against sexual harassment.