Call 10921 for police help against harassers, Danish ambassador says

The Danish ambassador in Dhaka has urged Bangladeshi women to call a toll free number to get support whenever they face violence anywhere.

Hanne Fugl Eskjær made the call at a press briefing on Sunday on the ‘shadow ambassador initiative’ that she has taken along with the US, Brazil and the Netherlands envoys to promote young women’s leadership in Bangladesh.

US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, Brazilian Ambassador Wanja Campos da Nobrega and Dutch Ambassador Leoni Cuelenaere were also present at the briefing at the American Club.

Eskjær said the helpline, 10921, was open round the clock.

The National Helpline Centre for Violence against Women and Children which is maintaining the helpline was established in June 2012 with the support of the Danish government.

This was established after the government survey found that violence against women has reached an “epidemic” proportion in Bangladesh.

It is a “confidential” service that offers legal advice, police assistance, telephone counselling, referrals to other organisations that also offer services, and information regarding violence issues, according to the Helpline Centre’s website.

The Danish ambassador urged all to spread the number as she observed that people are not aware that such a helpline is available.

The ‘shadow ambassador’ initiative paired each ambassador with a young Bangladeshi woman who was selected to ‘shadow’ the respective Chief of Mission for a day to learn about pathways to leadership and the value of choosing a career of service.