The government and different political parties have to adopt and implement long-term strategies besides strengthening the existing laws to eliminate rape from society, says a media release.
Rights activists made the call on Saturday from a demonstration on the Old Elephant Road in Dhaka. People from different walks of lives formed a human chain as part of the campaign ‘March against Rape’.
“Rape has emerged as a terrible disease and the existing laws are not enough to root it out. It has a psychological aspect, the male tendency to exercise power over females,” said Fahmidul Huq, who teaches Journalism at the Dhaka University.
“The conscious people of the society have to create public awareness to get rid of rape. Only the participation of people from different strata of life can drive out this disease from society.”
At the programme, lawyer Hasnat Kaiyum said, “If we can ensure fair rights for every human being, rape or violence towards woman will automatically stop. Besides we have to strengthen our social norms which will assist prevention of rape.”
Activist Rifat Fatima said, “To stop rape, we have to start from the family level. Male members of family must take care that they don’t belittle the female members in front of the children.”
Among others, the programme was also addressed by Zakia Shishir, Ferdous Ara Rumi and Baki Billah.
Under the campaign, public awareness creating programmes at different parts of the capital including Gulshan, Basundhara, Pallabi, Shyamoly, Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, and Farmgate. The campaign has already spread to different districts in the country and different countries of the world.