Most of us who have been following the case have been aghast at the delay and counter delay that has taken place over the last five years. One wonders why and how an apparently open case, where the guilty confessed to the crime could take so long. However, we are very pleased that even if late, the conclusion is near and hope that justice will be done. This case has brought into focus many factors related to the vulnerability of our young girls. Such as: young girls lack the minimum security and are not safe even in their own homes. We have also learned that getting justice is extremely difficult and that some serious reforms are needed in our justice system. The lack of a system of quick disposal of cases of rape and violence against girls and women has given the perpetrators a sense of immunity. Violence continues unabated with most of us watching helplessly. Just today's newspaper (August 25)reports at least four cases of either rape or murder of young girls. Adding to this horror are reports that while the victim is punished (The Daily Star on page 8) by being threatened or even flogged the perpetrators walk about freely and with impunity.

There are certain cases out of many that draws the attention of the entire nation. Shazneen is one such case. This is perhaps because of the age and the innocence of the victim. Perhaps because it feels so wrong, so unfair and unjust and also because of the feeling that this could have happened to anyone of us. That is why as a mother of a 15 year old I want the protection of our girl children. One way of doing this would be to expedite all pending cases of similar nature so that justice is done and real culprits are given their due punishment.