Children in Bangladesh are still suffering from insecurity and trauma.
Neighbourhoods are becoming increasingly unsafe, and even homes are not safe for them, according to a recent study.
Although the rate of rape and child marriage has decreased in the last one year, incidents of torture, murder, sexual abuse and drowning of children have increased at an alarming rate. Deaths from drowning registered a three fold rise.
A review of five newspapers, including Dhaka Tribune, has found 2,028 negative news on 26 issues related to children published last year. Most of these were on murders, torture at the workplace, sexual abuse of boys, harassment, and various incidents of violence at home and outside. On the other hand, 67 positive news stories were printed on 12 topics.
The findings were shared at a press conference by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) on Tuesday.
“Children are not safe in their homes. Everyone must work together to stop child rape and sexual abuse. Otherwise, these incidents will continue to rise,” MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said.
She called on the government institutions concerned to work for protecting the children with compassion and ensuring their rights.
Child marriage decreases
During the time of Covid-19 lockdown, in 2020 and 2021, child marriages increased due to school closures and economic crisis. But in 2022, the rate decreased by 94%.
In 2021, at least 41,095 child marriage news were reported from 23 districts of the country. In 2022, the number of child marriages dropped to 2,301.
Sexual abuse of boys increases
Among children who are victims of sexual abuse, many were boys. A total of 96 children were victims of sexual abuse in 2022. Among them, the number of boys is 20, as compared to six in 2021.
Compared to 2021, the rate of child rape decreased by 31.5% in 2022. But the children are still at risk. Most of the rapists were neighbours of the victims.
From January to December, 560 children were reportedly raped while 98 children faced attempts on them across the country. Among them, 12 girls died due to rape.
Children from 3-4 years to 12 years made up the majority of the victims of rape. The adolescents were raped by friends, at work, on the way to school, and by family members and neighbours.
Murder, torture rates still high
Child murder rose significantly in 2022, registering 311 deaths and attempts on 42 others. In 2021, some 183 children were killed, according to newspaper reports.
Those accused of torturing boys and girls have been identified as housewives, parents, teachers, bullies, local chairmen, employers, neighbours and stepmothers.
Most incidents of torture took place in Dhaka. At least 15 domestic workers were subjected to various forms of torture, including rape. Among them, five were killed, seven sustained injuries, and three committed suicide.
Among the slain domestic workers, three were victims of murder. Two others died mysteriously.
Besides, 44 children committed suicide last year due to various reasons like failure in examination, conflict in family, failure in love, and cybercrime. Among them, 27 were girls.
In addition, the total number of missing children in 2022 was 20, including 14 boys.
Drowning rate alarming
While 405 children died due to drowning in 2021, the number increased to 1,152 in 2022. Among them, 520 were girls and 632 boys.
Deaths in road crashes rise
In 2021, a total 69 children were killed in road accidents. But in 2022, the number rose to 196.
