More than 156 organisations and platforms in Bangladesh today expressed deep concern over the growing incidents of rape, sexual violence, abuse, and murder of women and children, demanding that the government declare the situation a “national emergency”.
The demands were made during a joint press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in Shegunbagicha.
Speaking at the event, Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam said violence against women and children, particularly child rape, had reached an alarming level in Bangladesh.
She warned that a culture of impunity and growing social decay were encouraging such crimes, while many cases fade from public attention after brief discussions, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
Shaheen Anam also urged journalists to continue following cases for at least three months and report not only arrests, but also the progress of investigations, trials, and final verdicts.
Presenting the keynote paper, Jinat Ara Haque, chief executive of Amrai Pari Paribarik Nirjatan Protirodh Jote (We Can), said every case involving violence against women and children must receive the highest priority during investigations.
The organisations further called on the Bangladesh government to adopt and strictly enforce a “zero tolerance” policy against all forms of violence targeting women and children.
