The 10 Action Points plan, developed in a national dialogue during last year’s 16 Day of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, is an excellent starting point in our fight to end gender-based violence. These points call attention to discriminatory laws that discourage rape survivors from reporting incidents of rape, advocate for the amendment of character evidence provisions, and keep a survivor-centred approach when developing intervention responses. As emphasized in the 10 Action Points, discriminatory laws need to be amended and existing sexual violence legislation and policies improved. Gender stereotypes and discrimination are the leading causes of gender-based violence, and the violence itself reinforces discriminatory attitudes, creating a vicious cycle. Gender-based violence is an urgent issue that requires us all to immediately act, globally and locally.

Source: Dhaka Tribune November 25, 2020 12:56 UTC