There are many laws, policies, and international commitments to protect women’s rights. But the real scenario is different.The rate of rape ,sexual harassment, domestic violence, and cyber abuse in the country is alarmingly increasing.Currently, the scale of rape against women and children has increased so much that the front page of the newspaper filled with rape cases .
On February 26, the body of an eighth-grade schoolgirl was recovered from the Hatirjheel area of the capital. Police reported that she was gang-raped and murdered before her body was dumped.
In Jhenaidah, a 30-year-old man, after failing to rape a four-year-old girl named Tabassum, murdered her and threw her body into a tank.
The body of six-year-old Tahedi Akter was found at an under-construction building in the West area of Hatirjheel, Dhaka.
Additionally, in Ishwardi, Pabna, a shocking incident occurred where a grandmother was killed, and his granddaughter was abducted, raped, and murdered. The grandmother’s body was found in the courtyard, and the victim’s body was discovered naked in a mustard field beside the house. Have we ever thought about this horrendous brutality? Is this the picture of a civilized society? Have we arrived at some dark age where even home is no longer safe for women?
With the spread of digital technology, a new form of violence has emerged-cyber violence. Online harassment, photo manipulation, leaking personal information, and online threats have increased.
Moreover, a new form of rape has emerged recently. Women are being deceived and raped under the name of “relationship”.
According to various human rights organizations, there were 35 rape cases in January this year. Data from the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad reports 31 rape incidents nationwide, including Dhaka. Among the victims, 25 suffered single-instance rape, and 10 were gang-raped. After the assaults, two victims were brutally murdered, and one committed suicide due to the trauma of rape. Out of these 35 cases, 28 could be filed in court, while information on filing was unavailable for five incidents.
Is this impunity pushing us toward mob justice? Is there any guarantee that women and feminist groups, frustrated by the denial of justice, will not rise up after a few days and take the law into their own hands? Fearful people can become dangerous! By terrorizing women through acts of brutality, are we slowly giving birth to a horrifying mob? Recently a Woman in Joypurhat cuts off attacker’s genitals with blade when he was trying to rape her.
Is the root cause of this brutality the inadequacy of laws? In reality, Bangladesh has sufficient laws to curb violence against women. Ensuring women’s safety is a constitutional duty of the state.The Constitution of Bangladesh, in Articles 27 and 28, guarantees equal rights for men and women.The 2000 Women and Child Repression Prevention Act, amended in 2020, stipulates the death penalty for rape,the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010, and several sections of the Penal Code exist to protect women. Special tribunals have been established to ensure speedy trials. Women, Child, and Adolescent Support Desks have been set up in many police stations, along with services like the national emergency number 999 and the One-Stop Crisis Center.
Yet, despite stringent laws and administrative initiatives, why does crime persist?
The slow pace of justice, a culture of impunity, erosion of social and moral values, rising political conflicts, and the absence of exemplary punishment for criminals have all contributed to the increase in violence against women.
Even with strict laws, weak implementation and lengthy judicial procedures mean that offenders do not fear punishment. Social stigma and victim-blaming discourage many victims from filing complaints. In many cases, families discourage women from going to court in the name of “family reputation.” Often, a woman or child who survives sexual violence is questioned about her clothing, behavior, or timing, which adds to the shame. Victims and their families face social pressure, and many are discouraged from pursuing legal action.
Moreover,The judicial process in Bangladesh is very slow. Court cases often take years to finish. During this long time. victims suffer from social stigma. mental stress, and financial problems.
In rural areas, most cases of violence against women are handled through informal village mediation. Many times, unfair decisions are forced on victims in the name of mediation, and their opinions are ignored.
There is no alternative to the proper application of the law to solve this problem. However, certain reforms can be introduced to ensure proper enforcement. A special tribunal could be established exclusively for handling rape cases, with women judges appointed who can better understand the victim’s sentiments.And the witnesses and the victim will not feel hesitant in the court. Pending rape cases could be transferred to these specialized tribunals for expedited trials and exemplary punishment, creating a strong deterrent against perpetrators. This could significantly reduce the incidence of rape.
Also education on equality and human rights must be strengthened. Without changing the social mindset, laws alone cannot bring real change.The government and administration must pay urgent attention to this issue. The people have high expectations from the new government, dreaming of a Bangladesh where women can live safely and fearlessly.
