Staff Correspondent

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) strongly condemns and protests the recent horrific rape incidents involving women and children across the country.

MJF, a human rights and governance organization, issued a statement on Sunday (March 9), demanding urgent action from authorities to ensure justice for victims.

Expressing outrage at the escalating violence against women and children, MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam stated, “Our justice system and protective measures have failed to safeguard women and children. This failure is utterly unacceptable.”

She further emphasized, “Sexual violence perpetrated by close relatives referred to as “incest” on girls and children is an issue that is not addressed. Most victims are not allowed to speak due to social stigma and false sense of family honor. However, if we do not raise our voices, these predators will continue to act with impunity taking advantage of a culture of silence.” Shaheen Anam urged society to take a stand against these predators and work collectively to build a secure and just society for women and girls.

MJF has reiterated its demand to the interim government of Bangladesh to establish a National Commission for Children’s Affairs. This commission must ensure that offenders are held accountable through a fair investigation process. enhance coordination among relevant authorities, and enforce strong child protection measures. MJF finds at present children are most vulnerable with authorities turning a blind eye to their plight. According to media reports of sexual violence in the last 10 days:

1. On March 6, an eight-year-old girl visiting her sister’s home in Magura was brutally raped by her sister’s father-in-law, aided by her sister’s husband. Reports allege that an attempt was also made to murder the child to cover up the crime. Further allegations suggest the rapist had previously harassed the elder sister, who had been married just four months earlier. This case highlights the pervasiveness of sexual violence perpetrated by close relatives on young girls and children but is never addressed.
2. In Sreepur, Gazipur, police arrested a youth on Saturday for allegedly raping a third-grader and filming the assault.
3. In Munshiganj Sadar, an elderly man was arrested on Friday for allegedly raping two children after luring them with food and balloons.

4. In Faridpur, a 14-year-old boy is accused of raping a four-and-a-half-year-old girl under the pretext of giving her a bicycle ride.
5. In Tangail’s Mirzapur, a second-grade madrasa student was allegedly raped, with local leaders attempting to suppress the case through informal village arbitration.
6. On International Women’s Day, media reports revealed that four men gang-raped a college student at Guliakhali Beach in Sitakunda, Chittagong, after tying up and assaulting her male companion.
7. In Lalmai, Cumilla, two men allegedly raped a speech-impaired young woman inside an under-construction building on March 6.
8. In Narsingdi, a pregnant housewife was reportedly raped for three days by multiple assailants who lured her with false promises of securing her husband’s bail.
9. In Satkania, Chittagong, two individuals allegedly raped two child students on February 7 after taking them to a secluded hill near their home.
10. These reported incidents are just the tip of the iceberg. Many more victims suffer in silence, without filing complaints due to fear and societal pressure.
MJF has long been advocating for decisive action to address violence against women and children. It calls for:
 Strengthening the child protection system and ensuring its effective implementation.
 Increasing accountability of law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and decisively against perpetrators.
 Ensuring an efficient and transparent judicial process to bring rapists to justice without delays.

 Sustained campaign and education to make parents/guardians on ways to protect their children from sexual violence
At a time when the world is celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 with the theme “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” the current situation in Bangladesh is shameful and must ae addressed on an urgent basis. urges all. MJF expresses solidarity with the students, men and women expressing outrage at the continuous and escalating level of violence against women and children. We urge the government, law enforcement agencies, civil society, and citizens—to stand together for a society where women and children can live without fear.