Violence against women continues unabated

‘4,622 women became victims of violence in 2019’

For more than 100 years, March 8 has been observed as the International Women's Day in countries around the world. While its purpose differs from place to place—in some countries it's a day of protest, in others it's a way to celebrate the accomplishments of women and promote gender equality. Ahead of this year's celebration, let's explore the present condition of women in society.

Though a hundred years have passed since the declaration of women’s day and 46 years have passed since the independence of Bangladesh, the condition of women in Bangladesh leaves much room for improvement.

Violence against women is common in this country, especially against women who come from the impecunious sections of society. Women, even those contributing to their families, often become victims of violence at the hands of their husbands or in-laws for various reasons. Dowry-related violence, rape, acid-throwing, domestic violence, sexual harassment and social discrimination against women are widespread occurrences.

Although cases of violence against women and children occur daily across Bangladesh, few of them are reported and even fewer win the legal battle for justice. Experts say that most of the incidents of violence against women remain unpublished due to patriarchal notions of gender and social stigma.

According to Odhikar’s data, between January 2010 and December 2019, 9,875 women and girls were raped, 609 were killed after being raped and 74 committed suicide after being raped, 3,299 women were victims of violence for dowry.

According to the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP), a women's right organisation, a total of 3,918 women and children were victims of violence in 2018 for different reasons, while the number increased to 4,622

in 2019. Of them, 697 were victims of rape and 182 were gang-raped in 2018. The statistics show the figures increased in 2019—1,370 were victims of rape and 237 were gang-raped.
According to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), from January 2019 to December 1,413 women were raped across the country, among them 327 were gang-raped. As many as 76 women were murdered after being raped and 10 committed suicide after being raped. However, only 999 cases were filed against rape. In all, 224 women were victims of rape attempts and 140 cases were filed against culprits. ASK also revealed cases of violence against women in the domestic sphere from January 2018 to December 2019. It shows that 423 women were victims of domestic violence in 2019, while it was 409 in 2018.

According to a recent research done by Action Aid Bangladesh, only 3 per cent of the victims get justice in cases of violence against women and the rest 97 per cent remain deprived. Only 2.1 per cent of women inform local leaders of their experience, while 1.1 per cent of women seek help from the police. Four out of every five cases, brought before the court by women, are related to violence, according to the study. Rights groups observed that delayed justice creates impunity for the accused and gives them courage to commit the same crime again.

While talking to The Independent, Nasima Akther Jolly, secretary of the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum and programme director of The Hunger Project Bangladesh, said, “Rape cases are increasing day by day. If we see the statistics of the last two years, we can see that violence against women has increased. There were 1,413 were victims of rape in 2019, while it was 732 in 2018. Not only rape, women were being tortured for domestic issues. Last year, 167 women were victims of dowry, while 823 were tortured for domestic issues.”

“The root causes of the problem are lack of implementation of law and awareness. Parents should take care of their girls as they of their boys,” she added. Professor Maleka Begum, PhD. chairperson of the Department of Sociology and Gender Studies, Central Women’s University, said, “Girls were not safe in public places and even in their homes. The law and order situation has deteriorated to such an extent that women now feel insecure to travel by public transport. To prevent this situation, we have to create consciousness by cooperating with both male and female members of a family.”

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Violence against women continues unabated

4,622 women became victims of violence in 2019

For more than 100 years, March 8 has been observed as the International Womens Day in countries around the world. While its purpose differs from place to placein some countries its a day of protest, in others its a way to celebrate the accomplishments of women and promote gender equality. Ahead of this years celebration, lets explore the present condition of women in society. Though a hundred years have passed since the declaration of womens day and 46 years have passed since the independence of Bangladesh, the condition of women in Bangladesh leaves much room for improvement. Violence against women is common in this country, especially against women who come from the impecunious sections of society. Women, even those contributing to their families, often become victims of violence at the hands of their husbands or in-laws for various reasons. Dowry-related violence, rape, acid-throwing, domestic violence, sexual harassment and social discrimination against women are widespread occurrences. Although cases of violence against women and children occur daily across Bangladesh, few of them are reported and even fewer win the legal battle for justice. Experts say that most of the incidents of violence against women remain unpublished due to patriarchal notions of gender and social stigma. According to Odhikars data, between January 2010 and December 2019, 9,875 women and girls were raped, 609 were killed after being raped and 74 committed suicide after being raped, 3,299 women were victims of violence for dowry. According to the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP), a womens right organisation, a total of 3,918 women and children were victims of violence in 2018 for different reasons, while the number increased to 4,622 in 2019. Of them, 697 were victims of rape and 182 were gang-raped in 2018. The statistics show the figures increased in 20191,370 were victims of rape and 237 were gang-raped. According to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), from January 2019 to December 1,413 women were raped across the country, among them 327 were gang-raped. As many as 76 women were murdered after being raped and 10 committed suicide after being raped. However, only 999 cases were filed against rape. In all, 224 women were victims of rape attempts and 140 cases were filed against culprits. ASK also revealed cases of violence against women in the domestic sphere from January 2018 to December 2019. It shows that 423 women were victims of domestic violence in 2019, while it was 409 in 2018. According to a recent research done by Action Aid Bangladesh, only 3 per cent of the victims get justice in cases of violence against women and the rest 97 per cent remain deprived. Only 2.1 per cent of women inform local leaders of their experience, while 1.1 per cent of women seek help from the police. Four out of every five cases, brought before the court by women, are related to violence, according to the study. Rights groups observed that delayed justice creates impunity for the accused and gives them courage to commit the same crime again. While talking to The Independent, Nasima Akther Jolly, secretary of the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum and programme director of The Hunger Project Bangladesh, said, Rape cases are increasing day by day. If we see the statistics of the last two years, we can see that violence against women has increased. There were 1,413 were victims of rape in 2019, while it was 732 in 2018. Not only rape, women were being tortured for domestic issues. Last year, 167 women were victims of dowry, while 823 were tortured for domestic issues. The root causes of the problem are lack of implementation of law and awareness. Parents should take care of their girls as they of their boys, she added. Professor Maleka Begum, PhD. chairperson of the Department of Sociology and Gender Studies, Central Womens University, said, Girls were not safe in public places and even in their homes. The law and order situation has deteriorated to such an extent that women now feel insecure to travel by public transport. To prevent this situation, we have to create consciousness by cooperating with both male and female members of a family. SH