MJF e-newsletter November 2020
During November 2020, MJF continued its advocacy efforts demanding effective measures by the Government and relevant agencies to prevent domestic violence against women and children during Corona situation. This e-newsletter highlights some of the activities undertaken during November 2020.
1,086 women, children raped in 10 months
Between January and October this year, 1,086 women and children were raped, of whom 277 were gang-raped, and 50 killed, and 29 committed suicide. MJF unveiled the data on 26 November evening during a webinar titled “Grassroots Response to Address Violence against Women and Girls.” Shaheen Anam, executive director at MJF, conducted the webinar, while Nasima Begum, chairman, National Human Rights Commission was the chief guest, and Judith Herbertson, development director, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Bangladesh, British High Commission, was the special guest. Read the findings here. The webinar proceedings can be viewed here.
Why should marital rape not be declared illegal?
MJF, along with few NGOs, filed a writ petition on 3 November, urging the Court to intervene in marital rape case. Following this, the High Court issued a ruling asking the government why the legality of marital rape of women and girls aged over 13 years in the country’s rape legislation should not be declared unconstitutional. Read the news here.
Drug abuse and misinformation threaten to derail Bangladesh’s youth
Speakers at a webinar organized by MJF on 11 November observed that drug abuse and misinformation threatened to derail Bangladesh’s youth who, if properly guided, could have been the agents of changes. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan was the Chief Guest while British High Commissioner Robert C Dickson also spoke at the webinar, moderate by MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam. News about the webinar can be read here.
Study findings on COVID-19 and Amphan
On Nov 28, MJF released the findings of a study titled: COVID-19 and Amphan: sufferings of women and girls from climate-vulnerable areas, where Planning Minister M A Mannan joined as Chief Guest. The study found that the majority of women and girls in six upazilas vulnerable to climate change faced violence by close ones during shutdown enforced amid the coronavirus pandemic. Read the news here. A summary of the discussion was published by the Daily Star, which can be read here.
Understanding the dynamics of Livelihood among the Indigenous Population in CHT and Plain Land
A study commissioned by MJF titled “Understanding the Dynamics of Livelihood of the Indigenous Population: Chittagong Hill Tracts and Plain Land” found that due to lack of education, indigenous people living both in plainlands and hill tracts are continuously being deprived of job opportunities, which pushes them to ultra-poverty. The news is available here, while the webinar proceedings can be viewed here.
16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence
MJF observed the 16 days of activism against gender violence by implementing various online activities, which included, among others: radio talk show, participation in online discussions and mobilizing online campaigns.
Courage is a name synonymous with youth: MJF webinar
With MJF support, BYLC organized a webinar on 3 November, marking the celebration of Bangabandhu National Day where 10 youth shared their inspiring stories. The news of webinar is available here.
Media Advocacy
MJF’s dynamic Media and Communication Lead, Ms. Shahana Huda Ranjana, continued her advocacy blitz to influence public opinion one on female domestic help abroad; another on rape by husband and the last one on eviction of hill people.
More information on MJF’s activities including pictures and videos relating to COVID-19 are available on our Website, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
