156 organisations demand declaring violence against women, children 'national emergency'

A total of 156 organisations and platforms working on women and child rights have expressed deep concern over rising violence, rape, sexual assault and murder against women and children in the country. They have demanded that these incidents be declared a 'national emergency' and that a 'zero tolerance' policy be adopted and effectively implemented.

The demand was made at a press conference organised at the Sagar-Runi auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital on Saturday afternoon, May 23.

The joint press conference was organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation, Amra Pari Paribarik Nirjaton Protirodh Jote, and 156 other women and child rights organisations from 64 districts.

The organisations demanded swift, impartial and fair investigation into recent incidents including the rape and murder of a child in Pallabi, exemplary punishment for perpetrators, and ensuring that the judicial process remains free from influence.

Jinrat Ara Haque, CEO of Amra Pari Paribarik Nirjaton Protirodh Jote, read out a written statement. She said every incident of violence against women and children must be investigated with the highest priority. She called for increasing the effectiveness of speedy trial tribunals to ensure swift and exemplary punishment, as well as taking initiatives to resolve cases of violence against women and children within 180 days.

She also said that enacting laws alone is not enough; the safety, medical care and psychological support of victims must also be ensured. She demanded compensation for victims and their families during the trial process.

The press conference also demanded the formation of sexual harassment prevention committees in all institutions, including educational institutions, establishing independent complaint mechanisms, and regular monitoring. It also called for the enactment and effective implementation of a law to prevent sexual harassment in accordance with the directive given by the Bangladesh High Court in 2009.

Additionally, the organisations demanded the launch of a special cyber monitoring system to prevent cyber violence, online blackmail and digital sexual harassment. They also called for making the women and child-friendly desks at police stations more effective and ending harassment during complaint filing.

According to data presented at the press conference, from January to April 2026, 178 women and girls were raped in incidents reported by 15 media outlets. Among them, 50 were gang rapes. Fourteen were murdered after rape. During the same period, 199 incidents of violence against children were recorded, of which 126 resulted in cases. There were 118 incidents of child rape and 46 attempted rapes.

Shahin Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, said child rape and violence have reached alarming levels in the country, and such crimes are increasing due to impunity and social decay. Perpetrators continue because they believe they can escape punishment, he said.

He called on the government to implement a zero tolerance policy against violence against women and children, stating that not just declarations but strict measures must be taken to set a precedent so that no rapist can evade justice.

Ishrat Shamim, Fowzia Khandaker and Shahnaz Sumi also spoke at the press conference. A father of a child victim from a madrasa in Bheramara, Kushtia, was also present and demanded swift justice.