182 Women Raped in May

According to Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, there were 405 reports of torture and sexual violence against women in the month of May.

There were 182 rape incidents, where 161 were raped, 13 gang-raped, and eight were murdered after rape, according to data collected from reports published in 14 national newspapers.

According to the rights organisation, 48 women were killed in different circumstances in May alone. Sixteen were pushed to the point of suicide.

While dowry is legally forbidden in the country, 26 women suffered torture by husbands and in-laws for dowry over the month. Thirteen of them were killed.

There were also 15 incidents of abduction and one trafficking, according to the press release issued by Mahila Parishad.

Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday said gender violence is an impediment to achieving the expected national development.

He made this remark while inaugurating a training course for special public prosecutors of Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunals.

The minister said the government set up 41 such tribunals in 29 districts last year. These tribunals along with 54 previously set-up tribunals were aimed at accelerating disposal of cases.

Rights organisation Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) earlier revealed that 44 children were victims of rape and attempted rape in the first nine days of May.

Amid growing concerns over children’s safety, MJF has planned to form child protection committees at upazila to national levels to raise awareness and provide legal aid to victims and their families.

Source: The Daily Star