Bangladesh Women’s Council report highlights surge in violence against women and children amid culture of impunity
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Violence against women and girls in Bangladesh is escalating at an alarming rate, with systemic failures in the justice system and a pervasive culture of impunity exacerbating the crisis. According to a new study released by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, the surge in incidents—ranging from rape and murder to suicide and child marriage—has transformed gender-based violence from a social issue into a profound national security and human rights concern.
Data presented at a press conference held at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Monday revealed that child victims are particularly vulnerable to gang rape and attempted assault, while adult women face the highest risks of murder and sexual harassment. The study, which analyzed reports from 14 national daily newspapers, identified 142 cases of gang rape and 203 suicides among children, while adult women accounted for 756 murders and 376 rape cases.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The findings highlight a troubling reality regarding the environments women inhabit. Both homes and educational institutions are becoming increasingly unsafe. Statistics indicate that students are at the highest risk of child marriage, attempted rape, and suicide, while housewives represent a staggering 94 percent of dowry-related violence and 58 percent of recorded murders. The study further notes that as victims age, they transition from being at risk of sexual violence to facing higher threats of lethal violence and suicide.
The Bangladesh Mahila Parishad identified the culture of impunity as the primary driver behind these statistics. Key factors contributing to this trend include administrative delays in investigations, political or social interference by influential figures, weak evidence collection, and a societal tendency to blame the victim rather than the perpetrator. Addressing the gathered media, organization president Fauzia Moslem emphasized that the risk spans all ages, noting that the high frequency of rape cases involving children as young as six to nine years old is particularly harrowing.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Fauzia Moslem condemned the common practice of resolving serious criminal cases, such as rape and assault, through local extrajudicial mediation or “salish,” labeling it a direct affront to the rule of law. She argued that such settlements only serve to protect offenders and perpetuate violence.
The report concluded with a call for urgent structural reforms, including stricter enforcement of existing laws, the acceleration of judicial processes, and enhanced accountability. The organization urged the government, civil society, and the media to move beyond mere reporting and address the deep-seated societal structures that normalize violence. They further advised media outlets to maintain sensitivity toward victims while intensifying scrutiny on the identities and actions of offenders to ensure social justice is upheld.
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