DHAKA — At least 252 women and girls in Bangladesh were subjected to various forms of violence in September, including 49 reported rape cases and 52 killings, according to data compiled by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
The organisation’s Central Legal Aid Sub-Committee collected the figures from reports published in 15 national newspapers and two online news outlets. The data were released in a statement signed by Mahila Parishad General Secretary Maleka Banu on Thursday.
Of the 49 reported rape victims, 30 were girls and 19 were women. Nine people, including two girls, were reportedly subjected to gang rape. Four girls were killed following rape, while another girl died by suicide after being raped. Thirteen people, including 11 girls, were reportedly subjected to attempted rape.
The organisation also recorded 52 women and girls killed in September, including 39 women and 13 girls. One person was reportedly the target of an attempted killing.
In addition, 45 people — 34 women and 11 girls — were reported to have died under mysterious circumstances.
Sexual violence remained another significant category. Mahila Parishad recorded 22 victims, including 12 girls. Twelve people, including eight girls, were reportedly subjected to sexual harassment, while seven people, including four girls, faced stalking or harassment. Three people were victims of cyber violence.
The organisation also reported 14 suicides, including four girls. One person was reportedly subjected to incitement to suicide. Two people suffered burn injuries, one of whom was a girl who subsequently died.
Eight people reportedly faced violence linked to dowry, including five who were killed over dowry-related disputes. Seven people suffered physical abuse in domestic violence cases, including one girl. One domestic worker was also reportedly subjected to abuse.
Mahila Parishad further recorded eight abduction cases, including seven girls. Fourteen people, including three girls, were reportedly subjected to physical abuse.
The data also included one reported child marriage and seven attempts to arrange child marriages. Eight other people, including one girl, were reportedly subjected to various forms of violence.
Mahila Parishad said its figures were compiled from media reports and therefore represent reported cases rather than a comprehensive count of all incidents occurring across Bangladesh.
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