At a discussion titled 'Rights and Safety of Minority Women: Bangladesh Perspective' held at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday, speakers called for the strict enforcement of existing laws to ensure the overall safety of religious minority women, protect their social rights, and stop violence against them. The event was organized by Bangladesh Mahila Oikya Parishad. Professor Sumona Gupta of Jahangirnagar University presented the keynote paper. Guests included retired Bangladesh Supreme Court Justice Krishna Debnath, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad President Fawzia Moslem, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad Member Secretary Subrata Chowdhury, and physician and media personality Abdun Noor Tushar.

Speakers noted that women from religious and ethnic minorities face multiple layers of discrimination and insecurity due to their overlapping identities as both women and minorities. They emphasized that the state must play a more effective role in ensuring their rights and safety, stressing that guaranteeing equal rights and security for all citizens is a state responsibility, regardless of religion, caste, or community. No woman should be deprived of her rights or left insecure because of her religious or communal identity, they said. Speakers further called for increased accountability of law enforcement agencies in protecting minority women, ensuring swift investigation and trial of violence cases, and providing necessary legal and social support to victims.