The conviction rate in cases of violence against women and children in Bangladesh stands at just 3%, while nearly 70% of the accused are acquitted, according to a recent study.
The findings were presented at a consultation meeting held on Saturday at the BRAC Centre in Mohakhali, Dhaka. The study identified lengthy trial processes, weak evidence, absence of witnesses, and structural limitations as key reasons behind the low conviction rate.
The research, titled “Identifying Procedural Barriers in the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal and Effective Ways to Address Them,” was jointly conducted by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and BRAC.
Former District and Sessions Judge Umme Kulsum, who led the study, presented the findings. The consultation was organized under BRAC’s Social Empowerment and Legal Protection (SELP) programme.
The study analyzed 4,040 cases disposed of between January and June 2025 across 42 tribunals in 32 districts. It examined case duration, adjournments, repeated time petitions, case types, witness and accused information, forensic processes, and verdict patterns.
Cases take over 3.5 years despite 180-day legal timeframe
According to the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000, cases are supposed to be resolved within 180 working days. However, the study found that, in reality, it takes an average of 3 years and 7 months to complete a case.
Each case, on average, goes through 22 hearing dates.
Key reasons behind delays include the absence of complainants and witnesses, frequent adjournments, delays in investigation, weak evidence management, and lack of witness protection. The study noted that simply shortening legal deadlines would not yield effective results without addressing these systemic issues.
Judiciary ‘most neglected’ among state organs
Speaking as the chief guest, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman said the discussions highlighted fundamental issues related to the capacity of the judiciary and legal administration.
“I have served as a lawyer, Attorney General, and now as Law Minister. From my experience, I feel that among the three organs of the state, the judiciary is the most neglected,” he said.
He noted that the judiciary receives a comparatively low allocation in the national budget—around Tk2,200 crore—while Bangladesh Television alone receives approximately Tk2,500 crore, and the Youth Development Ministry receives even more.
“This limited allocation makes it extremely challenging to manage salaries, administrative costs, and infrastructure,” he added.
The minister also pointed out imbalances in staffing structures across lower and higher courts and stressed the need for faster recruitment and strengthening the Judicial Service Commission.
70% of incidents never reach courts
Director General of the National Legal Aid Services Organization, Manjurul Hossain, said nearly 70% of incidents of violence against women never reach the courts due to social stigma, fear, and prevailing mindsets.
“Many people assume these cases are false due to low conviction rates, but the reality is different,” he said.
He added that strict legal provisions often lead the accused to exert pressure or seek settlements, placing victims’ families under significant social and psychological stress.
Lengthy legal procedures and complexities at different stages further weaken cases, while appeals in higher courts delay final disposal, he noted.
“Many victims eventually lose interest in continuing cases, but that does not mean the cases are false,” he added.
He also highlighted that many incidents, such as dowry-related violence and domestic abuse, occur within households, making it difficult to secure external witnesses.
The event was chaired by BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh. BRAC Associate Director Shashwati Bipul delivered the welcome remarks.
She said violence against women remains a harsh reality in Bangladesh, adding that studies suggest around 90% of women experience some form of partner violence in their lifetime, a finding also reflected in recent surveys by UNFPA and the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.