Coordinated efforts a must

Speakers at a high-level side event at the multi-sector programme addressing violence against women at the UN have underscored the need for coordinated effort of the national and international communities to stop such crimes.

The side event was organised by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN on Thursday on the occasion of the ongoing 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the UN, according to the news agency.

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki, Permanent Secretary of Women Affairs Ministry of Zimbabwe Dr Perpetua Gumbo, Deputy Permanent Representative of Denmark Erik Laursen, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific of the UN-Women Roberta Clarke and global gender equality adviser of Plan International Sarah Hendriks were present at the event as panellists.

Representatives of government agencies of various countries, women's rights groups, NGOs, media personnel and elected representatives participated in the event.

The state minister said violence against women is a common phenomenon across the world and it leaves devastating consequences on victims, their families and societies and impedes the potential of the society and the world as a whole.

A short video on activities of the multi-sector programme on violence against women in Bangladesh was presented in the event. The speakers said the political will that Bangladesh is showing to combat violence against women and children is commendable.