United News of Bangladesh

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Sunday called for effective and strict measures to prevent violence against women and address emerging challenges such as online defamation and cyberbullying targeting women. “Women and girls must not become victims of neglect, abuse or discrimination. We want to build a livable Bangladesh where every woman can grow up in a safe environment, become self-reliant and have opportunities to lead and where every girl has equal chances to dream and realise those dreams,” he said. The President made the remarks while addressing a programme marking International ‘Shreshtha Women’s Day 2026 and the conferring of ‘Adamya Nari’ awards at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. He said the government is taking strict steps to ensure speedy trials and exemplary punishment for violence against women. Strong political will and firm legal action had produced positive results earlier, he added. The President paid deep tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in movements and struggles for democracy and people’s rights from the 1971 Liberation War to the 2024 movement to protect the country and its people. Shahabuddin said acid violence in Bangladesh had once been brought under control through firm political commitment and strict legal measures. He said in 2002 the government of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia enacted laws to control acid use and acid attacks and ensured speedy trials and tough administrative actions, which brought acid terrorism close to zero. “The example could serve as a model in efforts to prevent violence against women.” The President said social harassment, online character assassination and cyberbullying against women have emerged as new challenges and the government is taking special measures to address these crimes. He stressed that both men and women must work together to build a livable and just Bangladesh by ensuring women’s safety and equal opportunities. Shahabuddin said women make up more than half of Bangladesh’s population and play a significant role in almost every sector of society and the economy. Millions of women working in the readymade garment sector are a key driver of the country’s export earnings, while women are also leading successfully in education, healthcare, agriculture, administration, science and technology, media and sports, he added.