Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) organised the workshop in the city with a view to creating a platform for journalists to raise awareness about the social menace.

"We are growing up in a culture of violence where women are the targets of violent abuse and the media through advertisements, movies and dramas often encourages such behaviour," said Prof Dr Geeti Ara Nasreen of Mass Communication and Journalism Department, Dhaka University.

In her speech, which was followed by a lively view exchange session, she cited examples from different films, dramas and advertisements where physical and verbal assault of women are being shown as norms.

Giving an example, she said that in an advertisement a young boy is seen braving all odds to reach a dancing girl. Portrayal of such acts might sow the seeds of violence in the minds of youths, she added.

Rabeya Raushan, a freelance consultant, regretted that the dailies are not properly highlighting the incidents of violence against women.

She said that even the family members are forcing girls aged as young as eight into prostitution in Rajshahi where hotel-based sex trade is rampant.

Prof Nusrat Amin of law department, Dhaka University, discussed the legal aspects of the draft law on domestic violence and its urgency in society.

She also called for updating the laws and plugging the loopholes to curb domestic violence.

People cannot be made sensitised to this problem unless the state recognises the issue by adopting a specific law in this regard, she observed.

Journalists along with judges, lawyers and civil society members should also play an active role in the remote areas of the country in sensitising the people, said Salma Ali, executive director of BNWLA.

Farida Yasmin, editor, women's page, the daily Ittefaq, Advocate Rehana Sultana, Advocate Fawzia Karim Firoze and Sadrul Hasan Mazumdar also spoke.