Engineer M. Hossain
Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh
The rising prevalence of gender-based violence in Bangladesh underscores an urgent need for comprehensive interventions and strong policy frameworks that tackle the complex societal, economic, and cultural factors driving this issue. During the significant student movement in July and August, women and female students emerged as vital advocates for systemic change. However, in the wake of this mobilization, there has been a concerning increase in violent incidents, including rape, physical assaults, harassment, and various forms of sexual violence against women. Notably, reports show a significant rise in harassment cases following Sheikh Hasina’s departure from leadership, raising serious concerns about the implications for women’s participation in public and social spheres. This trend calls for a thorough analysis of the contributing factors and a concerted effort to design effective strategies to mitigate gender-based violence and promote women’s rights and safety in Bangladesh.
A notable incident in Cox’s Bazar beach involved an individual named Farukul, who was filmed compelling a woman to perform degrading actions while threatening her with a wooden stick. Additional footage captured him harassing a woman seated on a beach chair at night. Another clip depicts a woman requesting her mobile phone from a group of policemen, with Farukul present. He has shared these incidents on his Facebook account, describing them as efforts against indecency, stating, “I will conclude my office hours today and commence my efforts against indecency, InshaAllah.”
On September 11, several harassment incidents involving women at Cox’s Bazar beach gained media attention, highlighting public safety issues for women in recreational environments. An escalation occurred on September 21 when mountaineer Shayla Bithi was physically assaulted while crossing a bridge in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. While many of these incidents receive limited mainstream media coverage, an increasing number of women are sharing their experiences on social media, indicating a rise in reported feelings of fear and vulnerability.
There have been alarming reports of harassment, abuse, rape, lynching, and cyberbullying against women in Bangladesh, affecting individuals from all backgrounds. These incidents reflect a broader trend of violence and intimidation toward women. Violence against women, especially rape, is a significant and ongoing issue in our country. A recent case involved a vulnerable woman with mental health challenges who was gang-raped during the floods in Titas Upazila, Comilla, while seeking humanitarian aid (Prothom Alo, August 31, 2024). On September 24, a teenage girl who lost her way was gang-raped twice in Chittagong (Samakal, September 25, 2024). On September 14, a seven-year-old child was raped in Pabna’s Santhia (Jugantar, September 15, 2024). On September 6, a female driver and assistant were raped in a moving bus in Chittagong around 9 pm (Prothom Alo, September 11, 2024). An American woman was a victim of indecency in broad daylight in Cox’s Bazar city on March 10 in a public place. Recently, a woman was gang-raped while on a moving bus in the Tangail area. An attack on two students in Lalmatia, the harassment of a student by library staff at Dhaka University, attacks on the hijra community in Cox’s Bazar, assaults on young girls in football fields in Rangpur and Joypurhat, and the increasing oppression faced by Indigenous women.
Violence against marginalized groups, particularly women, is rising in Bangladesh. Women face severe threats of gender-based violence, including high rates of rape. The ineffective prosecution of offenders exacerbates the issue. The March 1 attack in Lalmatia, where two women were assaulted for smoking, led to public outrage. Instead of condemning the perpetrators, the Home Affairs Adviser blamed the victims, increasing public unrest. On March 3, protesters demanded accountability and the resignation of Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for his remarks. This ongoing violence causes significant harm to victims and their families.
In the first two months of 2025, nearly 400 women and children have fallen victim to rape and harassment, including 157 young girls. In January 2025, a total of 85 girls and 120 women were subjected to torture. This information comes from Mahila Parishad’s monthly report on the torture of women and girls for January. Among these victims, 67 were raped. Within this group, 20 individuals, including 14 girls, were gang-raped, and two people, including one girl, were killed after being raped.
In February, alarming statistics emerged regarding gender-based violence, with 189 reported cases nationwide, including 48 incidents of rape, two attempted rapes, and eleven cases of gang rape. Additionally, the data revealed that 46 individuals, including 10 daughters, were murdered for various reasons. The following month saw a significant increase in violence against women, and the actual incidence is likely underreported, primarily according to media sources.
In addition to the violence targeting women, there has been a noticeable rise in assaults on various religious and ethnic minority groups, including Hindus, Christians, and the Ahmadiyya community. The Bangladesh Christian Association documented several attacks on places of worship, such as the Church of Bangladesh in Naogaon and the Evangelical Holiness Church in Dinajpur, as well as assaults on Christian homes in multiple locations, including Gouranadi, Barisal, Khulna City, Haluaghat in Mymensingh, and Parbatipur (Prothom Alo, August 12, 2024).
The shifting political landscape poses risks to societal stability, particularly as individuals experience violence based on gender, ethnicity, or faith. The hope for meaningful state reform in Bangladesh has sparked a mass student movement, reflecting a strong desire to address and heal the gender-religious divide. However, the past seven months have shown a concerning rise in violence, especially against women, necessitating a critical analysis that goes beyond simplistic labels like ‘mob violence.’
A thorough examination of the political economy surrounding these events is essential. The concept of “toxic masculinity” significantly influences criminological discourse; societal norms that glorify aggression and dominance among men play a crucial role in perpetuating misogyny. Clinical psychologist Nicholas Groth clarified in 1977 that power dynamics, anger, and sexuality are central to violence against women. The long-term consequences of these deeply ingrained beliefs remain poorly understood and could present significant obstacles to societal progress for an extended period.
In Bangladesh, the relationship between men and women is heavily influenced by entrenched patriarchal norms, resulting in a widespread culture of sexual violence that poses significant challenges to the interim government’s goal of fostering an “anti-discriminatory society.” The prevalence of sexual violence has reached alarming levels, threatening social stability and developmental progress. Despite having had female political leadership over the years, practical measures to address and prevent sexual violence remain inadequate.
Currently, the rise of religious extremism has led to an increase in violence against women, with concerns that there is indirect support from groups closely tied to Dr. Yunus’s government. This situation is deeply troubling. Without substantial government intervention and societal pushback, the oppression of women is likely to persist, undermining national progress. Women, who make up half the population, often experience insecurity even within their own homes. A safe environment is crucial for individual families and the cohesion of society.
While incidents of violence often occur in public spaces, many go unreported, contributing to a culture of impunity where perpetrators frequently evade justice and victims risk retaliation. Offenders come from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds, which intensifies the climate of fear and silence. To combat this pervasive issue, disclosing the identities of offenders could raise public awareness and encourage communities to remain vigilant against such acts. Private entities, educational institutions, and human rights organizations need to collaborate on publications addressing sexual violence in Bangladesh.
Despite widespread condemnation of these atrocities, fear and a sense of powerlessness often silence public outcry. The intersection of sexual violence and women’s oppression stifles both social development and the potential of men, as women constrained by fear cannot participate fully in education, work, and civic life, thus hindering national progress. To build a prosperous Bangladesh, eradicating sexual violence must be a priority. Establishing a safe environment for all citizens requires collective action from all stakeholders to confront this urgent crisis.
Improving the status of women necessitates both ideological shifts and practical reforms, particularly the implementation of stricter legal frameworks. The interim government, which arose from mass protests, has a responsibility to address violence against women decisively. Current governmental shortcomings in responding to ongoing violence and ensuring accountability for offenders send a damaging message that such acts are tolerated. Moreover, government representatives often downplay the severity of the issue and fail to protect at-risk women adequately.
Acknowledging the diversity of women’s interests and backgrounds in this discourse is crucial. Immediate and robust action against offenders, along with responsible media coverage of protests against violence, is essential. Misrepresentation in the media can exacerbate insecurity; thus, maintaining journalistic integrity and providing accurate narratives is vital for effectively shaping public perception.
We reject the normalization of violence against women and assert that all women should be able to exercise their rights without fear. Calls to remove home adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury highlight the urgent need to restore safety and institutional trust. We stand firm against silence and will mobilize until we can live freely and with dignity.
The troubling lack of accountability in cases of rape and harassment is compounded by a societal tendency to redirect blame towards women who allegedly fail to conform to conservative standards. This double standard reinforces victim-blaming, which undermines the pursuit of justice. A notable incident involving the harassment of a female student by a staff member at Dhaka University exemplifies the entrenched misogyny within our legal frameworks. Provisions like Section 509 of the Penal Code and Section 10 of the Nari-O-Shishu Nirjaton Domon Ain emphasize female “modesty” and undermine women’s rights and autonomy. Misinterpretations of religious values further restrict women’s agency.
A profound commitment to women’s rights is essential for fostering genuine equality, as it contrasts sharply with control and subjugation. The glorification of abusers in various contexts entrenches a culture of impunity, perpetuating cycles of violence and oppression. Addressing victim-blaming and the systemic silence surrounding gender-based violence is crucial for achieving meaningful justice.
The ongoing protest serves as a manifestation of resistance against gender-based violence and systemic oppression in Bangladesh, demanding accountability and an unequivocal end to violence against women. Misinterpretations of religious doctrines can significantly undermine women’s autonomy, limiting their contributions to societal development. It is vital to recognize that acknowledging women’s rights is not merely a moral obligation but a prerequisite for holistic societal progress.
Continued victim-blaming and pervasive silence remain significant obstacles in the pursuit of justice, reinforcing a status quo that is detrimental to social cohesion. This protest is part of a broader movement that aims to dismantle the structures enabling gender-based violence and systemic oppression in Bangladesh, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability mechanisms and the cessation of violence against women.
Furthermore, the overall development trajectory of any society faces substantial challenges when a significant portion of the population experiences oppression and fear. The potential for societal advancement is severely limited when a considerable demographic lives in doubt and insecurity. This idea is echoed in the words of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, who stated, “Whatever great creation exists in the world is eternally beneficial; women and men together make up half of it.”
Finally, it is crucial to examine the recent incidents that illustrate how gender discrimination and sexual violence not only violate human rights but also negatively impact a nation’s economy and stability.