Dhaka, March 11 (IANS) – Bangladesh is witnessing a surge in gender-based violence despite ongoing public demonstrations demanding justice and stricter legal measures against perpetrators. According to local media reports, six children, aged between six and fourteen, were raped across six districts on Monday, highlighting the deteriorating law and order situation in the country.
Seven individuals were arrested in connection with these cases, while one teenage victim, falsely accused and vilified during a local arbitration meeting, died by suicide. The tragic incident underscores the deep-seated issues of victim-blaming and inadequate protection for survivors of sexual violence in Bangladesh.
In recent weeks, Bangladesh has been gripped by large-scale protests led by women’s rights activists, students, and teachers. Demonstrators are demanding justice for rape victims, stringent punishments for offenders, and the resignation of Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has come under intense scrutiny for its failure to curb the rising incidents of sexual violence.
Dhaka University Professor Tasneem Siraj Mahboob, speaking at a demonstration, called not just for the resignation but the outright dismissal of the Home Affairs Advisor. “Resignation is an honourable exit. He doesn’t deserve that honour,” she stated, according to The Dhaka Tribune.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has also criticized the interim government for its inability to maintain law and order. Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that the escalating cases of rape and gender-based violence are a direct result of administrative negligence. “If the administration had functioned properly, incidents of rape, murder, injuries, and corruption would not have escalated,” he said in a public rally.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar painted a grim picture of the safety of women and children in Bangladesh. Speaking to The Dhaka Tribune, he stated, “Women and children are not safe anywhere today—be it on buses, trains, launches, offices, homes, schools, or madrasas. The situation in the country is much worse than what is reflected in newspapers and the media.”
Since the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government assumed power in August 2024, reports of violence against women have increased, fueling public anger and demands for accountability. Protesters continue to call for urgent governmental action to protect women and children, enforce strict legal measures against perpetrators, and restore public confidence in the nation’s security infrastructure.
Recent Random Post:
