Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) has expressed concern and outrage over rising incidents of sexual violence against children in madrasas across Bangladesh.
The organization cited the recent case of the rape and pregnancy of an 11-year-old student in Madan upazila of Netrokona, saying it has once again exposed the urgent need for systemic safeguards in such institutions.
MJF has called for the immediate establishment of Sexual Harassment Prevention Committees in all madrasas across the country, in line with High Court directives for educational institutions.
“Madrasas are educational institutions; there is no reason for them to remain outside the ambit of the High Court ruling,” said Shaheen Anam, executive director of MJF.
According to data from the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, 1,028 women and girls were subjected to various forms of violence, including sexual violence, in the first four months of this year. Of them, 479 were girl children.
In the Netrokona case, the FIR alleges that a madrasa teacher abused the child multiple times since October. The case came to light on April 18 after a medical examination confirmed advanced pregnancy. The accused, who denied the allegations online, has since been detained by RAB.
In a separate incident, a madrasa teacher in Patuakhali has been jailed over the alleged abuse of a 10-year-old student.
MJF noted that in 2023 the High Court directed all educational institutions to form committees to prevent sexual harassment, following its 2009 judgment. However, it said implementation in madrasas remains limited.
The organization also called for strict enforcement of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000, and demanded exemplary punishment for perpetrators.
It further urged authorities to ensure accountability, saying cases of sexual violence in madrasas are often underreported due to the influence of perpetrators within local communities.
MJF said both the state and society share responsibility for ensuring child safety and called on the government to expedite the proposed Sexual Harassment Prevention Law, which remains pending in parliament.
