231 Women and Girls Victims of Violence Across Bangladesh in October

A total of 231 women and girls were subjected to various forms of violence across the country in October this year, according to a report released by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad. Among them, 130 were women and 101 were girls.

The information was revealed in a statement signed by Maleka Banu, General Secretary of the Mahila Parishad, on Sunday. The report was prepared by the organization’s Central Legal Aid Sub-Council, based on reports published in 15 national dailies.

According to the report, 62 women and girls were victims of rape in October. Among them, 44 were victims of single rape, 13 (including 10 minor girls) were victims of gang rape, and five (including two girls) were killed after being raped. In addition, 13 women and girls faced attempted rape.

During the same period, 53 women and girls were murdered — 46 women and 7 girls. Three others survived attempted murder. There were also 26 cases of mysterious deaths, including 9 girls and 17 women.

The report further stated that seven women and girls committed suicide, one of whom had been provoked to take her own life. Twelve others (six girls and six women) were victims of sexual violence — 11 of them of sexual assault and one of harassment.

In addition, four women were burned in arson-related incidents, resulting in the death of one victim. A domestic worker was tortured to death. Seven girls were abducted, and 10 individuals (including six girls) became victims of human trafficking.

The report also mentioned that 19 women (including five girls) were physically assaulted. Attempts of child marriage were reported in two cases. There were seven incidents related to dowry, where five women were killed and two others were tortured due to dowry demands.