Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury today said strict laws should be enacted and enforced as well as exemplary punishment of rapists should be ensured as soon as possible.

She said that rapists must be brought under the law, and severe punishment must be ensured.

"Repression and rape against women is not acceptable. Rape is the worst crime," she said while addressing a virtual dialogue.

UNFPA and Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat jointly organised the programme titled 'Concerted Response to Stop Child Marriage, Prevent Gender-Based Violence and Improve Maternal health during natural disaster and Covid-19 pandemic.'

Parliament Secretariat is implementing a project under 'SPCPD' project with the technical assistance of UNFPA.

The Speaker joined the programme virtually as the chief guest from the Oath Room of the Jatiya Sangsad.

She said as a part of the national response plan, the upazila women's affairs officers can play the role of first responders and assist in getting all the legal help if any woman is being abused in remote areas.

The speaker said awareness is needed to prevent violence against women and to create a more sensitive and respectful attitude towards women.

The function was chaired by Awami League MP Meher Afroz, Convener of the Sub-Committee on Prevention of Child Marriage and Gender-Based Violence and also Chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on women and children affairs.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira, UN Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo and UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh, Asa Britta Torkelsson, among others also joined the programme virtually.

Aroma Dutta, member of the Sub-Committee on Prevention of Child Marriage and Prevention of Gender-Based Violence, presented the keynote paper.