By Nicolas Biswas

Violence against women and children is not merely a matter of deteriorating law and order
or a statistic in police reports; it reflects a profound crisis in a society's humanity, moral
values, and state responsibility. Reports of physical abuse, sexual harassment, rape,
domestic violence, child marriage, abduction, and murder continue to surface across social
media at an alarming rate, painting a terrifying picture of daily insecurity in our life.
This violence transcends all domains - religious, political, domestic, academic, and social.
Perpetrators exploit systemic impunity, power imbalances, political vendettas, social
superstitions, and economic vulnerabilities to target the defenseless. Because women and
children occupy relatively vulnerable socio-economic positions, criminals often perceive
them as easy targets. This reality inflicts deep harm not only on victims and their families
but also on the collective well-being of our society.

Global Realities and Trends
Globally, violence against women and children remains at a critically high level. Armed
conflicts, funding shortages for frontline support organizations, and growing political
backlash against gender equality exacerbate the crisis. Despite decades of advocacy,
approximately one in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence in her
lifetime.

Simultaneously, technology-facilitated abuse is rapidly surging. AI-driven harassment and
targeted threats increasingly aim to silence female journalists, human rights defenders,
activists, and public figures. In response to escalating sexual violence against minors
globally, international bodies like UNICEF continue to demand stronger local protection
systems, zero-tolerance measures, and an immediate end to impunity.

National Realities: The Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is witnessing a sharp rise in violence against women and children. Between
January and June 2026, reported incidents of physical abuse, rape, and child fatalities
increased significantly. In April alone, Bangladesh Police recorded 2,011 cases - the highest
single-month figure over a nine-month period since July 2025.

According to the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), 1,621 women and girls experienced
violence in the first half of 2026, marking a 56% increase compared to the same period in
2025. The human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) documented 490 child
victims during the same timeframe, including 195 deaths resulting from torture, domestic
violence, or sexual assault. Broader national indicators underscore the systemic nature of
this crisis:

a) 86% of children experience violent discipline at home or in the institutions.
b) 47.2% of girls are married before reaching the age of 18.

c) 70% of women experience intimate partner violence during their lifetime.
Although Bangladesh maintains legal mechanisms - including 102 specialized tribunals and
the national 109 and 10921 helplines - enforcement remains profoundly weak. Out of more
than 5,600 reported sexual violence cases between 2013 and 2024, only 2% resulted in a
conviction.

Furthermore, official figures represent only a fraction of actual occurrences. Social stigma,
fear of retaliation, economic dependence, and community pressure routinely force victims
into silence or out-of-court settlements.

Technology, Social Media, and Psychological Toll
The rapid expansion of smartphones and high-speed internet has fundamentally
transformed how violence manifests and impacts public consciousness. While graphic media
can serve a purpose, social media exposure acts as a double-edged sword:

a) Positive Impact: Publicizing footage of injustice helps mobilize public opinion, aids in
identifying perpetrators, and pressures law enforcement into swift action.

b) Negative Impact: Repeated exposure to graphic abuse induces severe psychological
stress, collective trauma, and pervasive insecurity.

This psychological burden is particularly severe for women and children. A mother viewing
footage of a brutalized child suffers constant anxiety over her own children's safety.
Similarly, witnessing public harassment restricts women's sense of freedom and mobility.
Moreover, irresponsible digital practices - such as exposing a survivor’s identity or spreading
unverified rumors - cause secondary victimization, subjecting families to social stigma.

Political Conflicts and Domestic Violence
Political rivalries and partisan conflicts represent major drivers of violence in our society.
While ideological debate is natural in a democracy, political disagreement can never justify
physical violence. Mob attacks, beatings, and public humiliations violate fundamental
human rights and desensitize the public. When brutality is weaponized for political score-
settling, society risks becoming numb to human suffering - a clear symptom of a declining
civil society.

Concurrently, domestic abuse remains a critical yet hidden issue. Society frequently
dismisses spousal abuse and physical mistreatment of children as "private family matters".
Fear of dishonor and pressure to preserve family units perpetuate a dangerous silence that
emboldens perpetrators. Families and communities must break this silence and offer direct
legal and social support to survivors.

Strategic Solutions and Actionable Steps
Addressing this crisis requires moving beyond legislative amendments and public seminars
toward practical, concrete solutions:

1) Strict and Impartial Law Enforcement: Enacting strict laws is meaningless without equal
enforcement. The state must ensure no offender escapes accountability due to political

influence, wealth, or societal status. Prompt investigations, witness protection, and time-
bound trials are essential to restore public trust in the justice system.

2) Institutional Reform: Bangladesh should establish a dedicated Department of Children
Affairs, amend the Child Marriage Restraint Act, and build a professional, community-based
child protection workforce. A multi-sectoral working group must oversee implementation to
turn systemic failures into lasting protection.

3) Reviving Moral Education: Families and schools must teach children empathy, mutual
respect, and gender equality from an early age. Boys must learn that physical strength never
confers the right to dominate, while girls must be empowered with knowledge about their
rights, self-defense, and legal recourse.

4) Ending Victim Blaming: Society must undergo a fundamental shift in mindset. Scrutinizing
a victim's clothing, choices, or whereabouts shifts guilt away from the criminal and
devastates survivors psychologically. The perpetrator alone bears full responsibility for the
crime.

5) Responsible Role of Media and Political Leaders: Media content creators must uphold
strict professional ethics to protect survivor identities. Political parties must adopt a strict
zero-tolerance policy against violence, refusing to shield criminal operatives under party
banners; and it is very crucial for our country indeed.

Conclusion
The true measure of a civilized society lies not in its skyscrapers, economic growth, or
technological achievements, but in its ability to guarantee security, human dignity, and
justice for its most vulnerable citizens.

Protecting women and children cannot be the sole duty of the state; it demands a unified
commitment from families, schools, civil society, and every individual citizen. Remaining
silent in the face of abuse reinforces the culture of impunity. By breaking our silence and
standing firmly against violence, we can build a safer, more just, and humane society for all.

Nicholas Biswas is a development practitioner and a recipient of the United Nations
Population Fund (UNFPA) Media Award. He can be reached at: gonomaddyom@gmail.com