It is nothing short of alarming to learn that, according to the Bangladesh Mohila Parishad (BMP), 259 women and children were victims of violence in the month of January. What is cause for further alarm is that, of the total number of victims, 108 were raped and gang raped, among which 72 were children.
These numbers are horrifying by themselves, but once we remember that the majority of cases regarding violence against women and children are never reported, the severity of the problem becomes that much clearer.
The year 2020 saw immeasurable suffering at the hands of the coronavirus. Unfortunately, beyond the effects of the virus itself, there were terrible economic consequences and, most worryingly, there was a significant spike in violence against women and children. This spike has sustained in our country, and the statistics from January paint a very grim picture.
Something must be done: We simply cannot sit back and do nothing as the women and children of this country continue to be victims of violence, and the onus is on the authorities concerned to address this most pressing of issues that pervades the fabric of our society. For no amount of campaigning and protesting by civilians and rights organizations will fix a problem that is so embedded, without deep changes in society, and oversight from the authorities.
Make no mistake about it -- the lack of safety for the women and children of Bangladesh is a national crisis, and it is a bitter truth that, while the economic development of the country cannot be questioned and is indeed prided upon, the same cannot be said about ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.
