386 Violence Against Women in N’ganj over the Year

Incidents of violence against women are on the rise in Narayanganj, with rape cases increasing significantly. According to the Narayanganj District Committee of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, 386 cases of violence against women have been reported in the district this year, including 102 incidents of rape.

The organization expressed its concerns during a press conference held on Wednesday (December 4) at its district office in Missionpara, in observance of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and World Human Rights Day.

The press conference was presided over by district president Rina Ahmed and moderated by general secretary Rahima Khatun. Other attendees included former president Anjuman Ara Akshar, vice presidents Preeti Kona Das and Krishna Ghosh, legal aid secretary Jesmin Aziz Alo, assistant general secretary Shova Saha, and program executive Sujata Afroze.

During the conference, a detailed account of crimes committed against women and children throughout the year was presented. According to their data, up to November this year, 386 cases of violence against women and children occurred in Narayanganj. These include: 102 cases of rape,16 cases of child sexual abuse, 31 murders , 27 suicides , 26 cases of dowry-related abuse, 41 incidents of sexual harassment, 15 cases of indecent assault, 27 abductions, 49 cases of physical and mental abuse , 1 cases of cybercrime and 49 instances of harassment .

In comparison, the district reported 386 such incidents last year and 307 in 2022.

Rina Ahmed stated that violence against women is no longer confined to rural areas but is now increasingly occurring in urban settings as well. She particularly highlighted the rise in rape and pornography-related cases. "Technology has brought the world to our fingertips, but it has also led many astray, contributing to the rise in such incidents," she said.