Bangladesh sees ‘troubling’ rise in cases of rape and assault on women

DHAKA: Chief adviser Muhammad Yunus voiced robust concern over current studies of assaults on women, calling them “deeply troubling” and a transparent deviation from the imaginative and prescient of a “New Bangladesh” that the nation’s individuals attempt for.
His remark, made at an International Women’s Day occasion, got here in the aftermath of the harrowing plight of an eight-year-old lady who’s preventing for her life after being allegedly raped. This case will not be an remoted incident however half of a broader, grim development of sexual violence that has plagued the nation. Reports of rape, gang rape, sexual assault and harassment have change into disturbingly frequent.
Addressing the state of affairs of violence towards women in Bangladesh that remained troubling since final 12 months, with surprising numbers reported in the primary two months, Fauzia Moslem, president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, stated, “Society is descending into chaos, where lawlessness and criminal impunity are growing. The failure of law enforcement, compromises, and lack of accountability are empowering criminals.”
A report by the Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF) in Dhaka revealed that Feb 2025 documented 295 incidents of violence towards women and youngsters, 24 greater than in Jan. It famous that Islamic fundamentalist teams, terrorists, and different extremist components play a visual function in these incidents.
A complete of 21 women from numerous professions advised native media that they skilled sexual harassment outdoors the house in previous three months. The women, aged between 19 and 48 and residing in Dhaka, reported a number of cases.
According to Dhaka-based human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra, in Feb, 46 women have been victims of rape, 22 of whom have been beneath 18. In Jan, this quantity was 39, together with 15 minors.
(With inputs from ANI)