A total of 9,764 women fell victim to violence in Bangladesh over a one year period, according to the non-government organization Light House.
The nearly 10,000 victims included 4,360 who were raped, and 450 who were killed after rape. As many as 17,027 incidents of violence against women were reported over the period.
Light House unveiled the statistics at an event organized on the occasion of International Women's Day on Monday. The statistics were based on information from the media and police headquarters in the year till October 2022.
According to the data, a further 240 people were victims of organized rape."
"A total of 2,675 people were beaten due to dowry, and 155 people were killed for not getting dowry. A total of 1,870 people were kidnapped,” Light House CEO Harun -or-Rashid said.
"Incidents of violence against women and children are usually reported in the media when they are serious. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) reported 3,184 cases of violence against women and children in the last 11 months. According to newspapers and online media, 64% of these are reports of rape."
According to the data published by Light House, there has been an average increase of 350 cases per month under the Women and Child Repression Act compared to five years ago. Online platforms have become a major medium for hateful comments, sexual harassment and torture.
Online harassment complaints increased by 25% over the past year.
According to Police Cyber Support for Women (PCSW), 8,715 women reported fake IDs, ID hacks, blackmailing, harassment on mobile phones, spreading of objectionable content or topics from January to November 2022.
Harun or Rashid said: “According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 54% of women have experienced physical and sexual abuse at least once in their lifetime. This pervasive violence not only violates the human rights of women and girls but has also become a major obstacle in the progress of the country and society as a whole."
Overcoming various social customs, prejudices and even fear of public shaming, women have now started walking beside men. But even at this time women are subjected to violence on roads, buses, and trains and even at home, educational institutions, or workplaces. Violence against women, including dowry, child marriage, polygamy, rape, and murder, are common occurrences, he added.
Women are also victims of political violence, the Light House CEO further said.
