79 rape incidents in Jan

Says Bangladesh Mahila Parishad report

At least seventy nine incidents of rape took place in January this year, among which 22 were cases of gang rape, according to a report of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP). A total of 298 females, including girls and children, had fallen victims to torture and violence last month, reads the report.

The women rights organisation unveiled the report through a press conference yesterday. The report shows that 22 females were victims of gang rape, while five were murdered after rape. Three faced repression by law enforcers. The increasing rate of the incidents is alarming for the society, it observes.

Rights activists identified a culture of impunity, bias on the part of law enforcers and the administration, social and political unrest, moral decadence, and lack of awareness were the major contributors to the increase in violence against women.

Ayesha Khanam, president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, told The Independent that even though women occupied important positions in the country, women’s rights had not been established.

The society is still largely patriarchal and women are mostly looked down upon, she lamented.

“The government should maintain zero tolerance to violence against women,” she added.

Last year, 942 incidents of violence against women and children took place in the country, she said. She mentioned that amendment to the law and its proper implementation is key to achieving safety and security for women.

The leaders demanded effective action from the government to stop rape and all kinds of violence against women.

Ayesha Khanam mentioned that girl children were not safe 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, she said.

 “In our country, the burden of proof in rape cases still falls on the shoulder of the victim. This is barbaric. The rapist should be punished in an exemplary manner. It's not hard to take punitive measures against the rapist because of the availability of modern technology,” said Ayesha Khanam.

Apart from ensuring exemplary punishment for the culprits, the rights activist suggested stepping up social, cultural and moral activities in society. She urged all political parties and social organisations to come forward to prevent violence against women.

Ayesha Khanam also said that it was difficult to get justice in the country. “We have been keeping track of the crimes committed against women. Justice hasn’t been served in most of these cases,” she added.

However, the women rights organisation leaders demanded increasing  the number of reserved seats and restructuring the constituencies.

“Women in reserved seats won’t be able to build up their own constituencies without participating in direct elections,” said the president of BMP.

 

79 rape incidents in Jan

Says Bangladesh Mahila Parishad report

At least seventy nine incidents of rape took place in January this year, among which 22 were cases of gang rape, according to a report of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP). A total of 298 females, including girls and children, had fallen victims to torture and violence last month, reads the report. The women rights organisation unveiled the report through a press conference yesterday. The report shows that 22 females were victims of gang rape, while five were murdered after rape. Three faced repression by law enforcers. The increasing rate of the incidents is alarming for the society, it observes. Rights activists identified a culture of impunity, bias on the part of law enforcers and the administration, social and political unrest, moral decadence, and lack of awareness were the major contributors to the increase in violence against women. Ayesha Khanam, president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, told The Independent that even though women occupied important positions in the country, womens rights had not been established. The society is still largely patriarchal and women are mostly looked down upon, she lamented. The government should maintain zero tolerance to violence against women, she added. Last year, 942 incidents of violence against women and children took place in the country, she said. She mentioned that amendment to the law and its proper implementation is key to achieving safety and security for women. The leaders demanded effective action from the government to stop rape and all kinds of violence against women. Ayesha Khanam mentioned that girl children were not safe 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, she said. In our country, the burden of proof in rape cases still falls on the shoulder of the victim. This is barbaric. The rapist should be punished in an exemplary manner. Its not hard to take punitive measures against the rapist because of the availability of modern technology, said Ayesha Khanam. Apart from ensuring exemplary punishment for the culprits, the rights activist suggested stepping up social, cultural and moral activities in society. She urged all political parties and social organisations to come forward to prevent violence against women. Ayesha Khanam also said that it was difficult to get justice in the country. We have been keeping track of the crimes committed against women. Justice hasnt been served in most of these cases, she added. However, the women rights organisation leaders demanded increasing the number of reserved seats and restructuring the constituencies. Women in reserved seats wont be able to build up their own constituencies without participating in direct elections, said the president of BMP.