Dhaka: Chief Justice SK Sinha on Saturday said women should also have the equal rights to divorce as men do.

‘Husband and wife should have the equal right to divorce. This is my personal opinion. But, it’s not being implemented for political reasons. Hindu women in our country don’t have the right to divorce. They’re also deprived of the father’s property…Indian Muslim women also don’t have the divorce right,’ he said.

The Chief Justice was addressing Women Lawyers’ Convention at Cirdap auditorium in the city.

There could be no real development if there are discriminations against women, Sinha said adding that violence against women has been one of the country’s major problems.

However, he observed, such violence can be curbed if the government enacts laws in this connection.

The Chief Justice urged the people of all classes and professions to come forward to prevent violence against women.

Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association (BNWLA) organised the convention with Advocate Fawzia Karim Firoz in the chair.

It was addressed, among others, by BNWLA executive director Advocate Salma Ali and its founding secretary Sigma Huda.