Where is realisation of a society free from oppression

Incidents of violence against women and girl children frequently appear in the news. Sadly, it is true that women and girls are more often abused by people they know rather than strangers. In most cases, however, these crimes do not come to light. Out of fear of social stigma and family honour, such matters are often suppressed and settled within families or communities. Human rights activists and women’s rights campaigners describe the situation as alarming. They are also questioning the role of the state.

One example is the case of Lina, an eighth-grade student in Jhenidah who dreamt of becoming a teacher. One afternoon, after attending private tuition, she did not return home. Two days later, her body was found in a bush beside a paddy field. She had first been raped and then strangled to death. The rapist and killer was a young neighbour who had often harassed Lina under various pretexts. Though her family thought of going to the police, villagers advised them, “Better to keep it quiet, otherwise the girl will be disgraced.”

Like Lina, every day across the country, girls are subjected to rape. Some are also killed afterwards. This violence, a gross violation of human rights, is no longer an isolated matter but has become a social disease.

Although the rate of violence against women declined somewhat in 2024, the first seven months of this year saw an alarming rise. In just these seven months, 1,664 women and girls were subjected to violence. Among them, 253 were raped, 105 gang-raped, and 15 killed after rape. By comparison, in the previous year there were 2,525 incidents, with 1,106 girls among the victims. Out of 516 rape cases, 367 victims were girls. A total of 142 were gang-raped, including 86 girls. Twenty-three women and girls, 18 of them children, were killed after rape.

Even in the face of such horrific statistics, it must be said that there are positive laws and policies in the country to prevent physical, mental and sexual abuse of women and girls. But due to lack of proper enforcement and public awareness, the situation remains dangerous. Despite progress in other areas, such attitudes towards women continue to remind us of a backward society.

It has been observed that women and girls who experience abuse suffer from long-term physical and psychological problems. This becomes a major obstacle to their advancement, with negative consequences reflected in many areas of society. Moreover, it is not only women and girls who face sexual abuse; worryingly, incidents of sexual violence against boys are also increasing. The perpetrators of such crimes are not only men; they can be women too.

In many cases, incidents of violence and rape against women and girls do not even reach the courts. Furthermore, because of links between offenders and the powerful, victims’ families are often denied justice. At times, perpetrators even enjoy the protection of certain politicians.

It must be remembered that no individual exists in isolation; every person is part of society. Therefore, to build a prosperous Bangladesh, ensuring the rights, education and safety of women and children is essential. For this purpose, the government has introduced a National Child Policy and a National Women’s Development Policy. These initiatives have helped to reduce child marriage and violence against women to some extent, though not as much as expected.

Therefore, a safe and supportive environment, quality education and healthcare, and a society free from oppression must be ensured for women and children. Alongside this, family members and society at large must show humane behaviour towards women and children, and greater emphasis must be placed on the practice of ethics and moral values.