55 women and girls killed, 54 raped in August: Mahila Parishad

At least 55 women and girls were killed and 54 were raped across the country in August, while 252 women and girls faced various forms of violence during the month, according to data compiled by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.

The figures were compiled by the organisation’s Central Legal Aid Sub-Council based on reports published in 15 national newspapers and two online news outlets, Mahila Parishad said in a press release on Tuesday (September 1).

Of the 252 victims of violence recorded in August, 118 were girls and 134 were women. Among them, 10 girls and 45 women were killed, bringing the total number of reported killings to 55.

The data showed that 36 girls and 18 women were raped during the month. Another 13 people, including eight girls, were victims of gang rape.

Two people, including one girl, were reportedly killed after rape, while 14 people, including 11 girls, faced attempted rape.

Sexual violence was reported against 30 people, including 24 girls. Of them, 14 people, including 12 girls, were subjected to sexual harassment, while nine, including eight girls, faced stalking or sexual harassment in public spaces.

The organisation also recorded cyber violence against seven people, including four girls.

Beyond sexual violence, women and girls were subjected to attempted murder, burns, suicide, domestic worker abuse, domestic violence, child marriage and abduction, among other forms of violence, Mahila Parishad said.

According to the organisation’s compilation, an average of around eight women and girls experienced some form of violence every day in August.

Mahila Parishad stressed that the figures were based on cases reported in the monitored media outlets and may not represent the full extent of violence against women and girls across the country.