Dhaka, May 6 – The Anti-Corruption Commission, (ACC) is concerned about 118 cases of corruption against men and the provision of punishment of women along with husbands, said Iqbal Mahmud, Chairman, ACC.He said this at a meeting with Transparency International of Bangladesh (TIB) at Dhanmondi on Sunday, highlighting ‘income earned through corruption and Family responsibilities’: Women’s Roles, Risks and Duties in Corruption.
“The ACC will discuss with lawmakers whether it is possible to punish a woman who does not know about husband’s corruption and whether it is possible to amend the law for the dropping of women’s liability and punishment,” he said.
“Countries with the independence and empowerment of women have been making sustainable progress. Many countries are very rich but empowerment of women or freedom is very little. There is improvement but this is not sustainable,” he said.
The ACC study found that in the 29 cases filed by the ACC from March 2007 to March 2018, the court imposed a fine on imprisonment for fine-tuning 29 women for helping husband’s corruption. It is found in the investigation of the information from 2015 to 2017 that there are 118 cases related to acquiring wealth in the name of the wife due to her husband’s income.
He said many women do not know that she is going to get the sentence in a corruption case with her husband. That is a matter of great concern. In the 118 cases of corruption, the sentence of women is very negative.
ACC Chairman said, ‘A woman does not know her husband’s corruption. But he is being used as a shield. In the name of his (wife) anonymous, the illegitimate wealth of the husband is going to the bank or in some way the transaction is being made. It is also sad to not tell the woman about the income earned through corruption. In the law or in the court there is no way to protect the woman. ‘
Iqbal Mahmud said the ACC will discuss with the lawmakers whether it is possible to punish the women who do not know about husband’s corruption, or if their punishment is to be amended, whether it is possible to amend the law. It will also be consulted with lawyers, legal teachers and lawmakers. It may also be amended and added to the relevant law of need.
TIB Trustee Board member Professor Dr. Syed Manzoorul Islam coordinated the program. TIB executive director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Asif Nazrul, teacher Dhaka University, women’s leader and human rights activist Khushi Kabir were present in the meeting.
Iftekharuzzaman said that the law may be amended. Promotion campaign to raise anti-corruption awareness is important. ACC needs to play a more powerful role. Women are not dependent. Corruption will be reduced if empowerment of women, assessment of and freedom of decision making environment will be created for women.
Khushi Kabir said that there is no empowerment of women in society. Women are not valued in the decision-making process. In many cases, decisions are being imposed to a woman and also tortured her. That is why corruption is increasing. Women’s awareness is very much responsible for the woman’s name being included in the corruption case with husband. – Staff Reporter
