At least 252 women and girls experienced different forms of violence across Bangladesh in August, including 55 reported killings and 54 rape cases, according to data compiled by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
Of the 54 rape victims recorded during the month, 36 were girls, highlighting the significant vulnerability of children to sexual violence. The figures were released by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad in a press statement on Tuesday, 1 September.
The organisation said its Central Legal Aid Sub-Committee compiled the figures from reports published in 15 national daily newspapers and two online news outlets. The data therefore reflects cases that were reported in those media sources during August, rather than necessarily representing every incident that occurred across the country.
According to the organisation, 118 girls and 134 women were among the 252 victims of violence recorded during the month. The figures cover a broad range of offences, including murder, rape, attempted rape, sexual harassment, cyber violence, domestic violence, abduction and child marriage.
Girls make up majority of reported rape victims
The rape figures were particularly concerning for children. Of the 54 reported victims, 36 were girls and 18 were women.
Thirteen people, including eight girls, were reportedly subjected to gang rape. Two victims, one of them a girl, were killed after being raped. Another 14 people, including 11 girls, were victims of attempted rape.
The figures indicate that girls accounted for a substantial majority of those affected by the reported rape cases in August. They also show that sexual violence was not limited to individual incidents, with gang rape and fatal attacks among the cases recorded by the organisation.
55 women and girls reportedly killed
The Bangladesh Mahila Parishad recorded 55 cases in which women and girls were victims of killing during August. Ten of the victims were girls, while 45 were women.
The organisation’s figures cover incidents reported through the selected newspapers and online news outlets. As with other media-based monitoring exercises, cases that were not reported by those sources would not be included in the compilation.
Sexual and cyber violence
Sexual violence remained another major concern during the month. The organisation recorded 30 victims, including 24 girls.
Among them, 14 people, including 12 girls, were reportedly subjected to sexual abuse. Nine people, including eight girls, experienced harassment or unwanted sexual attention.
Cyber violence was also reported. Seven women and girls, including four girls, were identified as victims of cyber-related abuse during August.
The inclusion of cyber violence in the monthly monitoring reflects the expanding range of environments in which women and children can face harassment and abuse. However, the statement did not provide further details about the individual cyber incidents.
Wider pattern of violence
The Bangladesh Mahila Parishad said violence against women and girls during August extended beyond rape and murder. Its report also recorded cases involving attempted murder, burning, suicide, abuse of domestic workers, domestic violence, child marriage and abduction.
Taken together, the figures present a broad picture of violence affecting both women and children. The particularly high proportion of girls among reported rape and sexual violence victims draws attention to the risks faced by children and the need for effective protection and timely intervention.
The organisation’s monthly compilation is based on information appearing in selected media outlets, so it should be read as a record of reported cases rather than a comprehensive count of every incident in Bangladesh. Even within that limitation, the August figures show the scale and variety of violence against women and girls that came to public attention during the month.
