Over 2,000 Women and Children Faced Abuse in Six Months: HRSS

More than 2,000 women and children, including minors and teenage girls, faced various forms of violence and abuse across Bangladesh during the first six months of this year, according to a half-yearly human rights report published by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).

The report, covering the period from January to June, revealed that 404 people, including children and adolescent girls, were victims of rape during the period. Among them, 238 were children and teenagers. It also stated that at least 17 people were killed after being subjected to rape.

The findings were presented on Wednesday (15 July) in HRSS’s semi-annual review of Bangladesh’s human rights situation. The organisation said the report was prepared based on information collected from reports published by 16 leading national newspapers, its own monitoring activities and fact-finding investigations.

According to the report, 1,621 women and female children were subjected to different forms of abuse between January and June this year. During the same period last year, the number was 1,042, representing an increase of around 56 per cent year-on-year.

The HRSS report highlighted several categories of violence against women and children. It said 88 women and children were victims of gang rape during the six-month period, while 476 women and children experienced sexual harassment or other forms of sexual abuse.

Cases of violence linked to dowry demands also remained a concern. The report stated that 19 women were killed in dowry-related violence, while eight others were injured. Three women reportedly died by suicide following such incidents.

Domestic violence emerged as another major area of concern. According to HRSS data, 320 women were killed in domestic violence incidents during the first half of the year. In addition, 211 women were injured and 147 died by suicide in connection with domestic violence.

The report also recorded four cases of acid attacks against women between January and June.

Violence against children was another significant issue highlighted in the assessment. HRSS reported that 1,077 children became victims of different forms of abuse during the six-month period. Of them, 305 children died, while another 772 suffered physical or psychological abuse.

The organisation noted that child abuse cases have increased compared with the same period last year. In the first six months of the previous year, 673 cases of child abuse were recorded, including 132 deaths. The latest figures indicate a substantial rise in both the number of incidents and fatalities.

HRSS Executive Director Ejajul Islam expressed concern over the overall human rights situation in the country. He said that alongside political and electoral violence, issues such as mob violence, deaths in custody and prisons, violence against women and children, and attacks on journalists and workers could further worsen the human rights environment if effective measures were not taken.

He stressed the need for stronger rule of law, a more effective democratic process and coordinated efforts involving both state institutions and society to protect human rights.

The report has drawn attention to continuing challenges surrounding the safety and protection of vulnerable groups in Bangladesh. Human rights advocates have repeatedly called for stronger enforcement of existing laws, timely justice for victims and improved support systems to prevent further violence against women and children.