Child Girl vs. Society: The Scenario of Bangladesh
Child
Girl vs. Society: The Scenario of Bangladesh
Abu Sadat Md.
Sayem Ali Pathan[1]
In a patriarchal society girls are often treated as
either burden or property. The scenario in Bangladesh is not different from any
other patriarchal society though the Prime Minister, leader of the opposition
and speaker of Parliament are women in Bangladesh. The dimensions of violence
against girl child in Bangladesh are now many in number and instances are
numerous to mention. Violence against girl child takes place in home, school,
teacher’s house, shopping mall, public transport and on road. Moreover, a huge
number of girl children in Bangladesh are now engaged in garments and also work
in houses as house maids and no wonder that they are also victim of violence in
these places. Though government of Bangladesh has taken various initiatives and
enacted laws in order to control and eliminate the violence but the progress is
too slow to be said as noticeable. Though a lot of NGOs and INGOs are working
in their capacity to improve the situation besides and along with the
government but the achievements are also appeared to be too little. It is to be
noted that, violence against girl child does have different implications than
violence against women. In these circumstances, it is time to re-scan the laws,
policies and other initiatives which have been taken to prevent the violence
against girl child and take proper initiative to improve the situations after
scrutinizing those matters. This paper will deal with the various types of
violence against girl child, laws, policies and other initiatives and compare
the standard provided in international laws with domestic laws. With this, the paper
will also provide relevant recommendations for the purpose of improving the
existing situation.
Key words: girls, violence, girls in Bangladesh,
violence against girls in Bangladesh.
Introduction
Violence against women including girls is a severe
reality in Bangladesh. Now a days, the situation is alarming in its magnitude.
The nature and dimension of violence differs on the basis of social hierarchies
and economical condition of victims and perpetrator. In Bangladesh, the
categories of violence against women are domestic violence, dowry-related
violence, acid violence, death, rape, rape followed by death, forced or induced
abortion, forced prostitution, sexual harassment, violence at work place and
trafficking. Recently, ‘eve-teasing’ has grown extremely in the society as an
alarming violent phenomenon.
The trends and nature of violence against women and
violence against girl child are almost same but the reasons might not to be the
same. The violence against women is largely the result
of differences (such as wealth, power, status, prestige) which are socially
perceived between men and women as ascribed by norms of patriarchy[2].
Sociological perspectives on violence provide two theories i.e. resource theory
and exchange theory. Resource theory and exchange theory imply that power is based
on resources and the tendency of commit violence is the ultimate resource for
securing compliance. In this sociological perspective, domestic violence by
males over females tends to be a natural phenomenon[3].
Though a girl might not be in the same position of a woman for the purpose of
resource theory and exchange theory but as the target of victim of violence, girls
are in the same position. The reasons behind the violence against girl child and
women may be the patriarchal psychology of the society and also the existing
socio-economical and legal circumstances of Bangladesh. It is to be noted that
though a good number of laws, policies and initiatives have been taken by the
government of Bangladesh and many NGOs and INGOs are working for improving the
situation but in this article it will be observed that the situation does not
improve in an expecting manner.
Violence and Crime
In general, crime is an act or the commission
of an act that is forbidden or the omission of a duty that is commanded by a
public law and that makes the offender liable to punishment by that law. The
dictionary meaning of crime is that an action or activity considered to
be evil, shameful, or wrong.[4]
So, some particular violence may be recognized as crime but not all violence
are recognized as crimes. In most of the cases, violence is embodied in the
definition of a particular crime as a means of committing that crime or
ingredient of that crime. It is observed from the definitions of violence as
provided in various international instruments that the meaning and nature of violence
is wider in nature than crime.
The UNHCR provides a definition of violence as violence
is a means of control and oppression that can include emotional, social or
economic force, coercion or pressure, as well as physical harm. It can be
overt, in the form of a physical assault or threatening someone with a weapon;
it can also be covert, in the form of intimidation, threats, persecution,
deception or other forms of psychological or social pressure. The person targeted
by this kind of violence is compelled to behave as expected or to act against
her will out of fear.[5]
Moreover, an incident of violence is an act or a
series of harmful acts by a perpetrator or a group of perpetrators against a
person or a group of individuals. It may involve multiple types and repeated
acts of violence over a period of time, with variable durations. It can take
minutes, hours, days or a lifetime.[6]
For the purpose of this paper, it is relevant to go through
the definition of ‘gender based violence’, ‘gender based violence against women’
and ‘violence against women’.
Bloom provided the definition as “Gender-based violence”
(GBV) is the general term used to capture violence that occurs as a result of
the normative role expectations associated with each gender, along with the
unequal power relationships between the two genders, within the context of a specific
society.”[7]
It is to be noted that international human rights
law did not address “gender based violence” (hereinafter GBV) or “violence
against women” (hereinafter VAW) specifically before 1992. In 1979, the UN Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was adopted but it does not include a
provision on violence against women till 1992.
In 1992, the CEDAW Committee adopted General Recommendation
No. 19 on VAW (hereinafter GR 19). In this document the Committee clarifies
that GBV against women is a form of discrimination and therefore fall within
the ambit of CEDAW. GBV is defined as-
“The
definition of discrimination includes gender-based violence, that is, violence
that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women
disproportionately. It includes acts that inflict physical, mental or sexual
harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other deprivations of
liberty. Gender-based violence may breach specific provisions of the
Convention, regardless of whether those provisions expressly mention violence.”[8]
GR 19 also specifies that GBV may constitute a violation or
women’s human rights, such as the right to life, the right to equal protection
under the law; the right to equality in the family; or the right to the highest
standard attainable of physical and mental health.[9]
The UN
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (DEVAW) adopted by the UN General
Assembly in 1993[10]
has been influenced by CEDAW General Recommendation No. 19. As per Article 1 of
the Declaration VAW is: “Any act of gender-based violence that results in,
or is likley to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering
to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of
liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”
Article
2 of the DEVAW provides:
“Violence against women shall be understood to
encompass, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Physical, sexual and psychological violence
occurring in the family, including battering,
sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related
violence, marital
rape, female genital mutilation and
other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence
related to exploitation;
(b) Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring
within the general community, including rape, sexual
abuse, sexual
harassment and
intimidation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in
women and forced prostitution;
(c) Physical, sexual and psychological violence
perpetrated or condoned by the State, wherever it occurs.”
Moreover, the Preamble of DEVAW specifies that violence
against women is a manifestation of unequal power relationships between men and
women and a violation of women’s human rights. Both, CEDAW GR 19 and DEVAW
unambiguously include violence perpetrated by state officials, family members,
acquaintance or employers.
The Beijing Platform for Action adopted in 1995[11]
recognized the particular vulnerabilities of women belonging to minorities; the
elderly and the displaced; indigenous, refugee and migrant communities; women
living in impoverished rural or remote areas, or in detention.
The Convention on the Rights of Child
provides the definition of
violence in article 19 as “all
forms of physical or mental violence,
injury and abuse, neglect or
negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse.” It also draws on the definition in the World Report onViolence and Health published in 2002.
Article 3d of the Council of Europe
Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic
violence provides that “Gender‐based violence against women” shall mean violence that is
directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects
women disproportionately.
However, the Convention[12]
provides a wider definition as follows:
“[V]iolence against women” is understood as a
violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women and shall
mean all acts of gender‐based violence that result in, or are likely to result in,
physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women,
including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty,
whether occurring in public or in private life.”
Scenario
of Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, all the acts of violence are not
recognized as crime. The statistics are available only on violence which are
recognized as crimes. Moreover, the statistics are also based on news paper’s
reports and cases filed in Court. It is found that statistics are only
available on rape, gang rape, domestic violence, eve teasing/stalking, dowry
related violence, acid throwing etc. So, it might be said that the statistics
are showing only the tip of the ice but not the whole scenario. However, for the purpose of getting a clear idea on the
violence in Bangladesh, some statistics are provided in tabular form.
Following
table is redrawn taking data from Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) and Odhikar
covering a 7 years’ period from 2004 to 2010. It is to be mentioned that ASK
has collected and compiled data from a number of national dailies (both Bengali
and Engilish).
Year
Types of Violence
Domestic Violence
Dowry Related Violence
Rape
Gang Rape
Acid Attack
Eve Teasing/
Stalking
2004
264
352
618
359
228
2005
333
356
585
250
130
2006
301
334
515
226
142
2007
283
294
436
198
95
2008
312
296
486
127
80
2009
281
285
446
199
63
2010
397
395
626
290
153
216
Source: Ain O
Salish Kendra (ASK) Documentation Unit, 2011 and Odhikar, 2011.
Following tables are
redrawn taking data from Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) on
different violence for understanding the recent scenario.
Domestic
Violence: January - December 2015
Age
7-18
19-24
25-30
30+ Not
mentioned
Total
Number
of Cases
Nature
of Violence
Tortured
by husband
4
6
11
4
15
40
11
Tortured
by husband’s family
2
4
6
3
Murdered
by husband
5
53
56
47
51
212
92
Murdered
by husband’s family members
5
14
8
5
8
40
18
Murdered
by own relative
1
17
3
21
9
Suicide
1
22
17
10
4
54
13
Total
16
97
92
83
85
373
146
Source: Prothom
Alo, Ittefaq, Samakal, Sangbad, Noyadiganto, Daily Star, New Age, Dhaka Tribune
and Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) Documentation.
Rape:
January - December 2015
Age
Under 6
7-12
13-18
19-24
25-30
30+
Not
mentioned
Total
Death
Cases
filed
Suicide
Case
filed
Form
of Rape
Attempt
to rape
2
4
1
1
2
84
94
2
45
Rape
50
139
111
8
4
5
161
484
9
1
292
Gang
rape
1
16
58
18
9
4
139
245
33
1
1
137
The
type of rape is not
mentioned
4
9
2
3
1
4
23
16
3
Total
53
163
179
28
17
12
394
846
477
Death
after rape
1
13
15
6
10
3
12
60
Suicide because of rape
1
1
2
2
Source:
The
Daily Prothom
Alo, The
Daily
Ittefaq, The
Daily
Samakal, The
Daily
Sangbad, The
Daily Noyadiganto,
The
Daily Daily
Star, The
Daily New
Age, The
Daily Dhaka
Tribune and Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) Documentation
Salish
and Fatwa: January - December 2015
Fatwa
Hilla
Lashes
Social
Boycot
Divorce/
Illegal
Marriage
Physical/
Mental
Torture
Total
Case
filed
Suicide
Cause
Love
affair
0
Pre-marital
Pregnancy
2
2
1
Oral
Divorce
1
1
2
Rape/Attempt
to rape
0
False
Allegation on Character
2
1
3
2
During
second marriage was mater of
first
wife concealed
0
Domestic
Violence
1
1
Case
file without inform to the leader
Hindu
Community
3
3
Hide
to Second Marriage to first wife
1
1
Family
disputes
0
Marriage
with sister-in-law
0
Disagreement
in signing white paper
0
Love
Marriage
0
Reason
not mentioned
0
Source:
Prothom Alo, Ittefaq, Samakal, Sangbad, Noyadiganto, Daily Star, New Age, Dhaka
Tribune and Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) Documentation.
Sexual
Harassment: January – December, 2015
Nature of Violence
Female
Male
Total
Suicide
10
10
Attempt to Suicide
0
Murdered due to Protest
5
1
6
Harassment
205
6
221
Injured by the attack of stalkers
89
89
Not able to attending school for
the fear of stalkers
4
4
Source:
Prothom Alo, Ittefaq, Samakal, Sangbad, Noyadiganto, Daily Star, New Age, Dhaka
Tribune and Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) Documentation.
Dowry
Related Incidents: January –
December, 2015
Age
0- 6
7-12
13-18
19-24
25-30
30+
Not
mentioned
Total
Cases
filed
Nature
of Violence
Physical
Torture
7
20
15
3
56
101
56
56
Acid
Burn
0
Absconded from
husband's house
0
Suicide after
torture
1
7
1
1
10
3
Death after
physical torture
12
62
48
10
55
187
99
Total
0
0
20
89
64
14
111
298
158
Source:
Prothom Alo, Ittefaq, Samakal, Sangbad, Noyadiganto, Daily Star, New Age, Dhaka
Tribune and Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) Reported Incidents Only
Laws
enacted to fight against Violence
Though Bangladesh
ratified the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child (CRC) in 1990
but the implementation of the mandate might be said as slow and not
satisfactory. However, as a signatory to the CRC and its protocol the
Government of Bangladesh giving continuous efforts towards implementing the
provision of the CRC.
The Constitution of Bangladesh is the supreme law of
the land. The Constitution makes precise reference regarding children in two
separate articles. Article 17 of the Constitution provides for establishing a
uniform, mass oriented and universal system of education and extending free and
compulsory education to all children. Article 28 of the Constitution allows the
legislature to enact special provisions in favor of children.
The constitution of Bangladesh in Articles 27, 28
and 31 provides the fundamental right to equality before the law and equal
protection of the law. It also guarantees that the state shall not discriminate
against any citizen on the grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place
of birth and right to protection of law respectively, lay down the general
principles regarding the protection of children and others from all forms of discrimination.
Some other constitutional provisions are as follows:
Article 14: Prohibits all sorts of exploitation;
Article 17: Provides for adopting effective measures
for the purpose of establishing a uniform mass-oriented and universal system of
education and free and compulsory education to all children.
Article 18: Provides that the state shall raise the
label of nutrition and improvements of public health.
Article 28: the state shall not be prevented from
making special provisions in favor of children;
Article 34: Prohibit forced labor.
It is pertinent to mention that Bangladesh enacted a
progressive legislation on children namely, the Children Act 1974, long before
the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention in November 1989. The Children
Act 2013 has replaced the earlier Act of 1974. Some statutes, such as the
Children Act 2013 aim to give effect to the CRC’s provisions. Other laws also
include provisions that aim to fulfil the obligations under CRC, namely:
a) The Prevention of Cruelty to Women and Children
Act 2000 (Referred to as ‘the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act,
2000’ in the State Party report)
b) The Narcotic Control Act1990
c) The Rights and Protection of the Persons with
Disabilities Act 2013
d) The Prevention and Suppression of Human
Trafficking Act 2012
e) The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection)
Act 2010
f) The Pornography Control Act 2012
g) The Information and Communication Technology Act
2006
h) The Vagrant and Homeless Persons (Rehabilitation)
Act 2011
i) The Bangladesh Labour Act 2006
j) The Orphanages and Widows’ Homes Act 1944
k) The Small Ethnic Groups Cultural Institutions Act
2010
l) The Birth and Death Registration Act 2004
The Prevention of Cruelty to Women and Children Act
2000 provides harsh punishment for those convicted for committing violent
crimes on women and girl children. This Act purposes to stop violence against women
and children with the provisions of strict penalties for trafficking, rape and abduction.
As for example, this Act states in section 9(1) that sexual intercourse with a
woman under the age of 16 years constitutes rape and provides for penalties for
violence against women and children, including kidnapping and trafficking.
Section 12 of this law provided on kidnapping of children. The Act also
provides death penalty or life imprisonment if anyone illegally imports,
exports, buys or sells a child or through these means keeps a child, or transfers
the child to another[13]. The
suppression of Immoral Traffic Act of 1933 lays down that any person who detains
any minor girls (under 18 years of age) in any house or room or place where prostitution
is carried out will be punished. It has also stated (section11) if a abducts
forces or engaged girls under 18 years for the purpose of commercial sexual use
in that case he may be punished with imprisonment.
The Children Act 2013 provides that there will be a
Children’s Court in each district or metropolitan area in Bangladesh. The trial
of a child in conflict with law or any proceedings relating to a child in
contact with law will take place before the Children’s Court.
Policies constitute guidelines for government
action. The following policies are closely related to CRC provisions:
a) The National Children Policy, 2011
b) The Education Policy, 2010
c) The National Skills Development Policy, 2011
d) The National Child Labour Elimination Policy,
2010
e) The National Health Policy, 2011
f) The National Labour Policy, 2012
g) The Women Development Policy, 2011
Moreover, being the highest judicial authority of
the country and whose decisions are binding upon all the subordinate courts and
all executive and judicial authorities, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh is
performing a vital role in interpreting and adjudicating law, policy and
practice relating violence against girl child and women.
Judicial
Response to Redress the Situation
It is to be mentioned that the judicial response
towards the violence against girls and women is remarkable. The Supreme Court
of Bangladesh has given directions in order to provide judicial guidelines to
redress the situation and also pronounced judgments.
The crime of throwing acid was addressed in Tayazuddin
vs. The State[14]. In this case, the High Court
Division, taking into account of the gravity of crime, stated that the crime of
throwing acid at women is a crime against humanity and society and held that in
the interest of fair play, fair trial and justice, the accused appellants are
not entitled to remain free by way of bail. The court invoked the relevant
article of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR), 1948, namely
Article 3 for the purpose of reaching its verdict.
Forced Marriage was addressed in Shipra Chaudhury and another vs. Government
of Bangladesh and ors.[15]
wherein the High Court Division stated that forced marriage is not permissible according
to the laws of Bangladesh and human rights treaties. The Court invoked
international human rights law to provide a remedy to the petitioner and
mentioned the relevant articles of the human rights treaties, which Bangladesh
has ratified or acceded to.
In Bangladesh, fatwa-induced violence against women
and girl often takes place by decisions made in shalish (traditional system of resolving dispute) or other instances
in rural areas. Poor and vulnerable women and girls are victims of the decisions
which have been made in the name of fatwa
and have been subjected to whipping, lashing, throwing stones and beating in
imposition. Bangladesh Legal Aid and
Services Trust vs. Govt. of Bangladesh[16]
was a public interest litigation (PIL) filed for the purpose of determining the
status of imposition and execution of extra-judicial/legal penalties in the
name of fatwa against women. The Court declared that the imposition of
extra-judicial punishment in the name of Sharia/Fatwa is illegal and without
lawful authority. The Court also directed the government to incorporate various
types of articles and educational materials in the syllabus in School, College
and University level and particularly in Madrasha level, highlighting
the supremacy of the Constitution and discouraging imposition of extra-judicial
punishment of any form in the name of execution of Islamic Sharia/Fatwa.
Moreover, the High Court Division issued a Suo Moto
Rule in Writ Petition No. 5897 of 2000 after taking consideration of a newspaper
report which stated about a hilla
marriage of one named Shahida Begum. On January 01, 2001 the High Court
Division delivered its judgment declaring all kinds of fatwa to be illegal. However, an appeal was preferred against this
judgment in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. The
Appellate Division has delivered the judgment by modifying the judgment of the
High Court Division and provided five directives. Amidst the directives, the
Court declared that “A fatwa on religious matters only may be given by the
properly educated persons which may be accepted only voluntarily but any
coercion or undue influence in any form is forbidden.” It also declared that
“no punishment including physical violence or mental torture in any form can be
imposed or implicated on anybody in pursuance of [a] fatwa."
The issue of imposing dress code on Women i.e. head
scarf was addressed in the case of Md. Salauddin Dolon vs. Govt. of Bangladesh[17]. The fact of this case disclosed that a
very derogatory remark was made by the Upazila Education Officer of Kurigram to
the Headmistress of a Government Primary School, in an open meeting, for not
wearing head-scarf. This case was also initiated by the petitioner from the
news item published in a national daily, as public interest litigation for
taking appropriate action against the Upazila Education Officer. It was
observed by the court that in the absence of any legal sanction, any attempt to
coerce or impose a dress code on women clearly amounts to a form of sexual harassment.
Such action violates Article 29 of the Constitution which ensures equality of
opportunity for all citizens in respect of employment or office in the service
and Article 39 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and
expression. To harass a woman on account of her failure to cover her head, is a
discriminatory act, which is a violation of the equality clause of the Constitution
and inconsistent with international standards. After giving the observation the
Court has also provided some directives.
The magnitude of eve teasing causing a serious
social problem in Bangladesh and the manner of committing it amounts nothing
but sexual harassment of women and girls. In recent years, because of “eve teasing”,
some victims committed suicide and it also caused killing of relatives or other
people who tried to protect the victims from the perpetrators. In the case of Bangladesh
National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA) vs. Government of Bangladesh[18],
it was noted by the Court that “eve teasing” have been taking place frequently
all over the country including on the streets, in homes and neighbourhoods, in
transport, in different stations, cinema halls, amusement parks, schools,
colleges, universities, working places and other public places. Therefore, the
court issued a Rule Nisi and also
issued four interim directions in order to protect women and girls from eve
teasing. The Court also forbid to use the term “eve teasing” and directed to
use the term “sexual harassment”. The Court also recommended the incorporation
of Sexual Harassment as a new offence in the Nari-O-Shisho Nirjaton Daman Ain
(Women and Children Repression Prevention Act) 2000. The Court observed that
the guarantee of free and compulsory education for children, the right to
liberty and the right to freedom of movement guaranteed under Articles 17, 32
and 36 respectively are meaningless if the girls and women of this country are
kept away from school and colleges because of sexual harassment in the streets,
and if they are subjected to sexual teasing or stalking. Finally, the Court
issued some exhaustive directives and guidelines.
Domestic workers are one of the most disadvantaged,
discriminated and deprived part of society in Bangladesh. Specially, child and
female domestic workers are abused and subjected to torture and other forms of
inhuman treatment. Bangladesh National
Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA) Vs. Govt. of Bangladesh[19] is a first judicial pronouncement to examine the
condition and context of the domestic workers in Bangladesh. The Court
suggested that the provisions provided in the three policy documents namely,
Domestic Worker Protection and Welfare Policy 2010 (Draft), National Child
Labour Elimination Policy, 2010 and the Children Policy 2011 must be brought
into effect at once for the purpose of welfare of domestic workers. It was also
suggested by the court that children between the ages of 14 to 18, who are
engaged in the domestic sector, should be incorporated automatically within the
provisions of the Labour Act. There should be a system of registration and
monitoring of all persons engaged in domestic work. In the light of the
observation the Court issued nine directions to the government.
In 2009, the High Court Division of the Supreme
Court of Bangladesh gave its observation and directives in the form of
guidelines regarding sexual Harassment of
female students. Girls and women are often victim of sexual harassment at
educational institutions or workplaces but none of the existing laws of
Bangladesh define the term ‘sexual harassment’. In the case of Bangladesh
National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA) vs. Government of Bangladesh and
Others[20],
the High Court Division found that there is virtually no law to prevent and
punish acts and behaviour known as sexual harassment of women. The court
observed that protection from sexual harassment and the right to education and
work with dignity is universally recognized as basic human rights. For the
purpose of redressing the context of existed situation the Court and in view of
the inadequacy of safeguards against sexual abuse and harassment of women at
work places and educational institutions, issued directives in the form of
guidelines to be followed and observed at all work places and educational
institutions until adequate and effective legislation is made in this field.
The Court also directed that the given guidelines would be strictly
followed and observed in all educational institutions and work places in both
public and private sectors until adequate and appropriate legislation is made
in this field.
Corporal Punishment is prohibited by a
judgment of the High Court Division in the case of BLAST and other vs. Secretary, Ministry of Education and others[21].
Status
of Implementation of Judgments/Guidelines
The guidelines/directives delivered by the High
Court Division for redressing violence against girl child and women could be
marked as a step to swing the social mindset. All those judgments and
directives are indicating that judicial responses for protecting women’s rights
are well provided in order to achieve an effective result. All those judgments
implicate that the higher judiciary of Bangladesh has taken the role of an
activist in a patriarchal society to fill the lacking of the existing legal
framework in redressing gender based violence. However, these judgments
consisting directives and guidelines for the protection of women’s rights are slowly
implementing.
Recommendations:
1.
Conclusion:
In the light of the above discussion, it is clear
that statutory and judicial responses have been made and initiatives by the
government have also been taken to redress the situation to protect the girl
child from violence. But from the statistics, as provided in this article
earlier, express that the situation has not been changed even after all the
measures taken. However, it is to be said that some parts of the society are
now more aware than before against any kind of violence. It is also to be said
that the patriarchal psychology and setup of the society is needed to be
changed if girl child and women are to be given protection against violence. The
patriarchal phenomena to treat female gender as inferior one and consider them
as property are also needed to be changed. Moreover, the judicial process to
serve the victim of violence along with implementation of the punishment are
also important factors for ensuring the protection. In these circumstances, the
following recommendations may be beneficial to protect girl child from the
violence:
1. The
well said proverb is that charity begins at home. In Bangladesh, family culture
is playing very important role. So, to honour a girl from various tiers of the
society is to be taught in the family. The government should initiate awareness
rising programmes and advertise those programmes through print and tele media.
2. The
judicial procedure should be more favourable to a victim i.e. girl child when
she becomes a victim of violence.
3. Immediate
step should be taken to capture the culprits who cause violence against girls
child and women.
4. The
law enforcing agency should introduce easy way to complain regarding any kind
violence i.e. special help line. Along with this, the magnitude of violence
demands that there should be a cell dedicated to deal with the violence issues
efficiently and effectively.
5. There
should be a complete “Code” containing all the laws on women and girls and one
integrated procedure for the purpose of providing justice to the victims.
6. The
government should take effective initiative to empower women economically and
ensure their participation in every sphere of administration.
Lastly, it is not irrelevant to say that only
amendment, modification or change in legal frame work are not sufficient to
redress the situation as the problem is more social than legal. So, it is
necessary address the situation from different aspect to ensure a four square
improvement.
