Dial 10921

Bangladesh is one of the worst sufferers of violence against women. According to WHO, the rate of VAW in Bangladesh is one of the highest in the world. But only 2% of the VAW cases are being reported here. The proportion of victims accessed justice system is only 18% and 30 % did not take any legal steps as violence was a family matter, according to BNHRC Report 2011. It might be that  victims do not perceive such violence as crime but in most of the cases they are drawn back by sense of insecurity, social stigma, ignorance about the legal provisions and support. Therefore, an easy accessible confidential helpline could be a powerful tool to break the silence.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MOWCA) has come forward with an idea of 24/7 helpline. It has established National Helpline Centre for Violence Against Women and Children on June 19, 2012 under the Multi-Sectoral Programme on Violence Agaisnt Women.
The centre remains open to all victims or potential victims (women, children) of violence. The helpline provides immediate service to victims and links up to relevant agencies: doctors, counselors, lawyers, DNA experts, police officers etc. It is accessible from all parts of Bangladesh and through any mobile network. It ranges from informing various legal and other services provisions to help rescue the victims in case of emergency through law enforcing agencies and other social activists.
The helpline number is 10921.
According to Dr. Abul Hossain, Project Director of this multi-sector programme, everyday on average fifty cases are being reported.
The Helpline centre maintains a national database of all the government and non- government contact persons who can provide relevant support to the victims and their families at the immediate hour.
They also do follow up of the news and reports of violence against women and children published in national newspaper and take action proactively.
This is a unique model in South Asia. This model has earned global appreciation. Saarc has entrusted Bangladesh to lead the replication of this successful model in other Saarc member countries.