The women’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami formed a human chain in Dhaka yesterday, demanding an end to violence against women and children and exemplary punishment for those responsible.

The programme was held in front of the Jatiya Press Club, where the organisation placed a 10-point demand to ensure the safety of women and children.

Presiding over the event, Nurunnisa Siddika, secretary of Jamaat’s women’s wing, said while the head of government, ministers and MPs enjoy state security facilities, the government has failed to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.

She expressed anger over allegations that police were reluctant to file a case after a child was raped in Rampura and that the victim’s family was advised to hush up the incident.

She also alleged that incidents of rape and murder of women and children do not receive due importance in the mainstream media, urging journalists to focus on public interest rather than praising the government.

Marzia Begum, central assistant secretary and a member of the party’s shura, presented the 10-point demands.

These include the immediate arrest of perpetrators and exemplary punishment; ending the culture of impunity; ensuring neutral investigations and transparent trials; investigating police negligence in filing cases and taking departmental action against those responsible; ensuring maximum punishment through speedy trial tribunals; and adopting effective long-term policies to protect women and children.

The speakers also urged the law minister and the home minister to announce a specific timeframe for the trial of such incidents.

Advocate Sabikun Nahar Munni, central secretary for law and human resources of the women’s wing, and Jannatul Karim Sweety, assistant secretary of the Dhaka South unit of the women’s wing, also spoke.