Men’s long stay at home for lack of employment is one of the reasons why violence against women is increasing in Bangladesh, a webinar was told on Monday. Speakers at the webinar identified the other factors for which women are subjected to violence as decline of income, limited judicial activities and less willpower to file case. The webinar on `Analysis of Violence Against Women and Action by JNNPF’ was organised by Jatio Nari Nirjatan Protirodh Forum (JNNPF) in association with ActionAid Bangladesh. The speakers said incidents of torture, oppression and rape of women and children are on the rise in the country. Violence against women and children has been alarming during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the webinar, JNNPF, a platform of 26 human rights organisations, claimed that 609 cases of domestic violence, 42 cases of rape, 239 cases of torture for dowry and 112 cases of child marriage were reported from 20 districts of the country during January to October this year, according to a press release. Read: Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka launches 16-day activism campaign on child marriage, gender-based violence In addition, a total of 1379 complaints were registered including 72 polygamous marriages, 73 divorces, 1 murder and 5 suicides, 132 marital disorder and 94 other incidents. However, 863 cases have been settled and 422 cases are pending out of 1369 cases. The JNNPF called for preventing and alleviating violence against women and ensure the safety of women by forming committees at all levels starting from the union level. In addition to building a resistance movement, they called for a positive role of the administration, speedy judicial action, and the formation of a larger national coalition on the issue of prevention of violence against women and children. Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir said that working together can prevent all forms of violence including violence against women. Read: WHO study finds 1 in 3 women face physical, sexual violence JNNPF President Mamtaz Ara Begum, General Secretary Mahmuda Begum, Executive Director of RASIN Asma Akter Mukta, Executive Director of Manab Unnayan Kendra  Ashaduzzaman Selim and Manager of Swabalambi Samaj Unnayan Sangstha (SSUS)  Kuhinur Begum shared the data and experiences in a webinar. It was conducted by Manager (Women Rights and Gender Equity) of ActionAid Bangladesh Morium Nesa.

Police Friday arrested two teenagers for "raping" a seven-year-old girl in Bagerhat's Chitalmari. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chitalmari Police Station Mir Shariful Haque said, "On Thursday, the duo approached the girl and lured her on the pretext of playing a game. The teenagers took the seven-year-old to a nearby sugarcane field where they 'sexually assaulted' her." Later, the victim's father rushed to the spot hearing her scream and caught the teenagers in the act. Next, he filed a case against them at night, the OC said. Also read: Rape epidemic: 2 held over gang-rape of Pabna woman The girl was taken to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital for a medical examination, he added. Bangladesh's rape epidemic Bangladesh is facing a "rape epidemic" despite recent government approval of the death penalty for the crime – not that evidence ever suggested it would have the desired effect. Earlier last month, a police headquarters report said 26,695 rape cases had been filed across the country in the last five years. Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data shows that 1,018 children were raped last year alone, but only 683 police cases were filed. Also, 116 victims were 6 years old or below. Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the victims were killed by the perpetrators while 14 took their own lives, the data showed. However, ASK's data was likely just the tip of the iceberg, according to aid agencies, who report that most women are too afraid to report rape. Also read: Housewife ‘gang-raped’ in Patuakhali In October 2020, the country was rocked by protests after a woman was attacked and raped in Noakhali. In November last year, Bangladesh introduced the death penalty for rape, following days of protests against sexual violence against women in several cities across Bangladesh. But human rights organisations say the move will not solve the country's rape crisis, as victims of sexual assault are often stigmatised in society.

A female worker of readymade garments was allegedly gang raped in Mulaid area of Sripur in Gazipur early Tuesday. Officer-in-Charge of Sripur Police Station Golam Sarowar Jahan said the house owner of the victim ousted her from the house on Monday night raising different accusations. Taking advantage of the situation, one Mizan Fakir in the name of helping her provided her a room in his house, OC said. Also read: Rape epidemic: 2 held over gang-rape of Pabna woman Later, as the night progressed Mizan went to the victim’s room and violated her along with four others, the cop said. However, the victim managed to flee from that room and filed a case over the matter in the morning, he added. Police arrested one of the accused and are trying to catch the others, OC said. Also read: Housewife ‘gang-raped’ in Patuakhali Rape culture Rape incidents continue to take place even after the government amended the law making death penalty the highest punishment for the crime. Last month, a police headquarters report said 26,695 rape cases had been filed across the country in the last five years. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data show that 1,018 children were raped last year, but only 683 police cases were filed. Also, 116 victims were 6 years old or below. Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the victims were killed by the perpetrators while 14 took their own lives, the data showed. The original number is believed to be higher as most victims don’t report incidents of sexual assault fearing for their safety and social stigmatisation. Following days of protests against sexual violence against women across Bangladesh, the government introduced death penalty for rape in October last year. In November, the Parliament passed the necessary amendment.

A youth was arrested in Bagerhat for allegedly raping his 5th grader cousin. The arrestee was identified as Ujjol Khan, 26. On Sunday police arrested Ujjol conducting a drive in Sadar upazila’s Jatrapur area following a case filed by the victim’s father accusing Ujjol and his mother Farida Begum. Also read: Child Rape in Shariatpur: 'Rapist' madrasa teacher let off with fine Victim’s father in the case statement said on February 15, his sister Farida Begum took his daughter home for a stay over and didn’t let her come when they asked to let her. On March 10 when the victim's father went to Farida’s house she hid the victim and misbehaved with him. On March 29 with the help of locals he rescued the victim from Farida’s house. Also read: Teen held for child rape in Narayanganj The victim said from February 17 to March 29, Ujjol has raped the victim several times. When asked, Farida Begum threatened the victim's father to not talk about the incident. Bagerhat model police station’s Officer-in-Charge, KM Ajijul Islam, said Ujjol was arrested upon the case filed by victim’s father. Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 Ujjol will be handed over to court after questioning and efforts are going on to detain the other accused, said police.

An eight-year-old girl has been hospitalized following an alleged rape attempt by a 50-year old man in Boalmari upazila of Faridpur district. The critically ill child is currently undergoing treatment at Faridpur Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital.  The child's mother lodged a written complaint with the Boalmari police station on Saturday. Also read: Child Rape in Shariatpur: 'Rapist' madrasa teacher let off with fine According to the complaint, the girl was having shower at a pond beside her house when Yunus Sheikh, 50, forcibly took her to a garden near Raipur cremation ground and tried to rape her after giving death threat. The girl was initially silent out of fear when she reached home.  But as the pain in her genitals increased during the night, she started crying and told her family about the incident. She was rushed to the emergency unit of Boalmari Upazila Health Complex. Also read: Teen held for child rape in Narayanganj Later, she was shifted to Faridpur Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital on Friday night for better treatment as her condition deteriorated. The child's mother lodged a written complaint with the Boalmari police station the following afternoon. Kazi Ripon, a sub-inspector of Boalmari police station, said, "I have received a written complaint of rape bid on a child. Necessary legal action will be taken.” Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 Boalmari Upazila Health Complex emergency unit physician  Amir Hamza said signs of rape attempt was found on the child’s body.

A madrasa teacher, who allegedly raped an 8-year-old girl last month, has been let off the hook by a Kangaroo court after paying a fine of Tk 250,000 and receiving 10 slaps with a shoe at Zajira upazila of Shariatpur. According to sources, Amir Hamza,30, headmaster of Baitul Jannat Mohila Madrasa, raped the victim on March 13.   But after the incident became public on Thursday (April 15), locals held an arbitration instead of approaching police, underpinning a rape epidemic in the country. They fined the rapist Tk 3 lakh and 10 hits on the body with shoes. Later, the fine was revised to Tk 250,000. Also read: Rape epidemic: 2 held over gang-rape of Pabna woman The government amended the law last November to incorporate death penalty as the highest punishment for rape. Razzak Majhi, a resident of the area, said a so-called jury of 20-25 members delivered the verdict "after weighing every opinion". "All stakeholders are happy with the verdict," he claimed. Mintu Mondal, an inspector of Zajira Police Station, said no one informed them about the rape incident or the arbitration. Additional Superintendent of Police (Naria Circle) SM Mizanur Rahman said the law did not allow meting out punishment for rape through arbitration.  Also read: Housewife ‘gang-raped’ in Patuakhali He said they would take action after receiving a formal complaint. Rape epidemic continues in Bangladesh Bangladesh continues to see rape incidents even after raising the highest punishment. Rights groups blamed the lack of implementation of the law and a low conviction rate for the situation. Earlier last month, a police headquarters report said 26,695 rape cases had been filed across the country in the last five years. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data shows that 1,018 children were raped last year alone, but only 683 police cases were filed. Also, 116 victims were 6 years old or below. Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the victims were killed by the perpetrators while 14 took their own lives. Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 ASK's data was likely just the tip of the iceberg, according to aid agencies, who report that most women are too afraid to report rape. The gang rape of a woman at Sylhet MC College hostel in September last year and the attack and rape of a woman in Noakhali the next month triggered massive countrywide protests. On October 13, the President promulgated an ordinance making death penalty the highest punishment for rape. The next month, the Parliament passed the amended law. Human rights organisations say strict implementation of the law and a high conviction rate will help bring down the crime. 

Police arrested a "mentally-challenged" youth Thursday for the "rape and assault" of a 100-year-old woman in Jashore Sadar upazila's Chanchra union. Rubayet Hossain, 20, sexually assaulted the women on Wednesday and was caught by the centenarian's family members. The victim's daughter-in-law said, "My mother-in-law was found bleeding severely in the afternoon. Rubayet was in the room at that time and his actions indicated that he violated her." My mother-in-law was rushed to Jashore Medical Hospital where she underwent surgery, she said. Dr Arif Ahmed, residential medical officer of the hospital, said: "Evidence has been collected to find out if the elderly woman was sexually assaulted. The details can be confirmed when we get the medical report." Also read: Housewife ‘gang-raped’ in Patuakhali Kotwali Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Sheikh Tasmim Alam said, "Chanchra police has detained Rubayet. However, he is mentally-challenged, it has been learned." "His legs were chained on Wednesday. However, the young man managed to unchain himself and went to the victim's house." Bangladesh's rape epidemic Bangladesh is facing a 'rape epidemic' despite recent the government's approval of the death penalty for the crime – not that evidence ever suggested it would have the desired effect. Earlier last month, a police headquarters report said 26,695 rape cases had been filed across the country in the last five years. But human rights organisations say the actual numbers are much higher as many cases are not even reported. And not all make news – only the most brutal or deeply disturbing ones get reported in the media. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data shows that 1,018 children were raped last year alone, but only 683 police cases were filed. Also, 116 victims were 6 years old or below. Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the victims were killed by the attackers while 14 took their own lives, the data showed. However, ASK's data was likely just the tip of the iceberg, according to aid agencies, who report that most women are too afraid to report rape. Rapes and sexual violence have been in the spotlight in Bangladesh since October 2020 when the country was rocked by protests after a woman was attacked and raped in Noakhali. In November last year, Bangladesh introduced the death penalty for rape, following days of protests against sexual violence against women in several cities across Bangladesh. But human rights organisations say the move will not solve the country's rape crisis, as victims of sexual assault are often stigmatised in society.

Police have arrested three persons, including a mother-daughter duo, for allegedly plotting a gang rape at Madhukhali Upazila of Faridpur. The arrestees are Rozina, her mother Parul Aktar and one Zakirul Haque. On Tuesday night, the victim’s father filed a case against the trio and accused several other anonymous people of human trafficking and rape. The victim recently came to her father’s home at Madhukhali from her husband’s village. On Sunday, her friend Rozina came to visit her. After an argument with the victim, Rozina with her mother and some men abducted her from her father’s house that afternoon. Also read: Rape epidemic: 2 held over gang-rape of Pabna woman The victim said they took her to different places, drugged her and had her raped several times. They dropped her in front of her father’s home on Tuesday morning after her condition deteriorated. Her father said the victim’s condition has improved. She is currently being treated at the One-Stop Crisis Centre of Faridpur Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital. Madhukhali Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Rathindra Nath Tarafdar said Zakirul was arrested in a drive on Tuesday night after the arrest of Rozina and Parul. The women are residents of Modhukhali Asrayan centre. Zakirul, hailing from Gopalganj, was a contractual worker at the Madhukhali Sugar Mill, said police. Also read: Housewife ‘gang-raped’ in Patuakhali OC Rathindra Nath said the court had sent the three accused to jail. The other accused will be arrested after getting the victim’s statement. Rape becoming a regular crime Rape incidents continue to take place even after the government amended the law making death penalty the highest punishment for the crime. Last month, a police headquarters report said 26,695 rape cases had been filed across the country in the last five years. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data show that 1,018 children were raped last year, but only 683 police cases were filed. Also, 116 victims were 6 years old or below. Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the victims were killed by the perpetrators while 14 took their own lives, the data showed. Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 The original number is believed to be higher as most victims don’t report incidents of sexual assault fearing for their safety and social stigmatisation. Following days of protests against sexual violence against women across Bangladesh, the government introduced death penalty for rape in October last year. In November, the Parliament passed the necessary amendment.

Police arrested two youths Sunday for "gang-raping" a homemaker in Pabna's Chatmohar upazila. The arrestees were identified as Atikur Rahman, 26, and Abdul Halim, 30. Sajib Shahrin, assistant superintendent of Chatmohar circle police, said: "The accused grabbed the homemaker, forced her into the nearby garden and raped her as she went outside at 8pm. They fled the scene as the woman's husband rushed to spot hearing her scream." As the victim's husband filed a case over in the incident in the morning, police carried out a raid to nab Atikur and Abdul, Sajib said. Also read: Housewife ‘gang-raped’ in Patuakhali The victim was sent to the hospital for a medical test, he added. Bangladesh's rape epidemic Bangladesh is facing a 'rape epidemic' despite recent government approval of the death penalty for the crime - not that evidence ever suggested it would have the desired effect. Earlier last month, a police headquarters report said 26,695 rape cases had been filed across the country in the last five years. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data shows that 1,018 children were raped last year alone, but only 683 police cases were filed. Also, 116 victims were 6 years old or below. Also read: Bangladesh introduces death penalty for rape Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the victims were killed by the perpetrators while 14 took their own lives, the data showed. However, ASK's data was likely just the tip of the iceberg, according to aid agencies, who report that most women are too afraid to report rape. In October 2020, the country was rocked by protests after a woman was attacked and raped in Noakhali. Also read: Police HQ: 26,695 rape cases filed in 5 yrs, with notable jump since 2019 In November last year, Bangladesh introduced the death penalty for rape, following days of protests against sexual violence against women in several cities across Bangladesh. But human rights organisations say the move will not solve the country's rape crisis, as victims of sex assault are often stigmatised in society.

A young man was arrested on Wednesday from Shariatpur Sadar Upazila for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl on false promise of marriage.