Dhaka: Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmin S. Murshid today declared the government’s unwavering commitment to combating violence against women and children at all costs. She emphasized the critical role of quick response teams in aiding survivors of gender-based violence, particularly in remote areas.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Murshid addressed these issues during a workshop at the CIRDAP auditorium focused on the activities of Quick Response Teams aimed at resisting violence against women and children. Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Senior Secretary Momtaz Ahmed chaired the workshop, while Department of Women Affairs Director General Keya Khan participated as a special guest.
Joint Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Prakash Kanti Chowdhury, elaborated on the efforts of the Quick Response Team, highlighting ongoing challenges. Murshid acknowledged that despite stringent laws, violence against women and children persists at troubling levels, manifesting across various spheres including family, workplace, public space, and online platforms. She underscored that such violence constitutes a flagrant violation of human rights.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs is adopting a multi-sectoral approach, coordinating with 14 other ministries. Efforts under this initiative include operating 14 One-Stop Crisis Centers, 67 One-Stop Crisis Cells, a Toll-Free National Helpline Centre (109), a National Trauma Counselling Centre, eight Regional Trauma Counselling Centers, a National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory, and eight Divisional DNA Screening Laboratories. These entities are dedicated to both preventing and addressing violence against women and children in the country.
The workshop saw attendance from a diverse group comprising doctors, nurses, law enforcement officers, teachers, professionals, NGO representatives, helpline service providers, development partners, student representatives, and media personnel. Following the workshop, the adviser also participated in a meeting focused on rehabilitating those injured during the July-August uprising.