Some 1000 social activists, including students, housewives, teachers, lawyers and elected leaders regarded as 'change makers' from 19 districts of the country pledged to combat domestic violence.

Alliance to End Domestic Violence, comprised of some 200 NGOs, organised the national conference at the Engineers' Institution.

"Achievements of individuals depend on how they are treated in their families, and the peace in a family is subject to the good relationship between the husband and wife," said Professor Muzaffer Ahmed, speaking as the chief guest.

The family's roles in raising the kids depend mostly on the mothers, he said, adding, "My wife also played a major role for my achievements today."

Criticising the indirect election to the women seats in the national parliament, he said this proves that the women in the country are not yet in a good status.

Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed said the history of women repression in the sub-continent is very cruel, and it must be stopped through robust movement.

"Women must overcome the hurdles by using their talents and we are not so far from the era when there will not be any dominance of muscle power, rather intelligence and honesty," he said.

Women for Women President Professor Mahmuda Islam noted 47 percent women in the country are subjects to regular physical torture, while 95 percent fall victims to psychological and economical pressure.

Fewer women of the low-income groups become victims to domestic violence, as they can make their incidents public and the legal aid bodies can go to help them, she observed.

The educated women from middle and higher middle class suffer more due to such violence, as they are afraid of their status, good will of their families, she added.

She alleged that there is no specific law on domestic violence, and the victims also consider those types of violence as familial and personal matters.

"This has made the situation even worse." She regretted calling for political will to stop domestic violence.

Oxfam Bangladesh Country Director Anil Tambe cited that domestic violence is one of the major causes for women sufferings, and reduction of poverty is almost impossible without eliminating it from across the globe.

He stressed the need for improving the educational and economic status of the women and changing the patriarchal attitude towards women dignifying both men and women equally for a better world.

Alliance to End Domestic Violence, in association with some 200 NGOs, began a campaign titled 'We Can' last year across the country. The objective of the campaign is to educate the grassroots level people and use them as tools to raise awareness on women violence, the Alliance Convenor MB Akhter said.

There are some 30,000 such change makers who have already conveyed the primary theme of the campaign to some 6 lakh families, he noted.

Singers Mahmuduzzaman Babu and Mita Haque performed at the function where Mehreen, Fahmida Nobi, Lucky Akand and novelist Selina Hossain were present among others.