'Woman's existence a fight': 272 women and girls faced violence in Jan 2026 alone

An eight-year-old girl who was rescued with her windpipe slit from a knife attack in a remote hilly area of Sitakunda in Chattogram died while undergoing treatment on Monday (3 March) night.

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In another incident, a housewife was allegedly gang-raped while out shopping for Eid in Madhabdi of Narsingdi on Thursday (5 March). After a case was filed on Friday morning, police arrested a young man named Hridoy Mia in the afternoon in connection with the incident.

These are not isolated cases in Chattogram or Narsingdi. Violence and abuse against women of all ages – from children and adolescents to adults – are increasing across the country. Women are facing violence in workplaces, educational institutions, within families and even in the virtual world. Experts have called on the state to take stronger initiatives to ensure women's safety and rights.

According to data from ActionAid Bangladesh, rape incidents increased by 52.3% in 2025 compared with 2024. In January 2026 alone, at least 272 women and girls were victims of violence, including 70 rape victims.

Data from human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) show that 31 women and children were raped in February this year. Of them, 10 were victims of gang rape. Seven were killed and six were subjected to attempted rape.

ASK data also show that in 2025 a total of 2,851 women and children were victims of violence, abuse and sexual harassment.

According to Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, a total of 2,808 women and children faced abuse in 2025. Among them were 1,234 girls and 1,574 women. Last year, 786 people were raped, of whom 543 were children.

Experts say that at a time when the country should be progressing further on women's issues, the rise in violence, harassment and rape could discourage women's participation in society. Violence and insecurity are also contributing to rising child marriage and school dropouts among rural and poor communities. This may further hamper women's social and economic participation.

Maleka Banu, general secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, told The Business Standard that despite long-standing movements and initiatives on women's rights, there remains a major gap in implementation.

"It is not that we have gained no rights at all. Many laws and policies have been introduced. But most of them remain on paper, with very limited implementation," she said.

She added that insecurity and violence are the biggest obstacles to practising women's rights. Negative comments and social pressure regarding women's mobility, clothing and personal freedom have increased, creating an atmosphere of fear.

"A safe environment is essential for the healthy mental development and empowerment of a child, adolescent or young woman. But we have not yet been able to create that environment. The recent rise in organised social violence against women and the tendency to create negative public opinion are alarming. Such situations are becoming major barriers to establishing women's rights," she said.

Member of Parliament Rumeen Farhana said the structures of the state, society and political parties remain deeply patriarchal and misogynistic.

"A woman often has to fight even to maintain her existence," she said.

She emphasised the role of family in women's empowerment, noting that a girl who does not face discrimination within her own family can stand confidently in society.

Addressing young people, she said they should first build their lives and develop the ability to make their own decisions. "When a person can stand for themselves, real change becomes possible."

Mariam Nesa, team lead of Women's Rights and Gender Equity at ActionAid Bangladesh, said that 39% of universities in the country still do not have sexual harassment prevention committees, which reflects institutional failure.

Expressing deep concern over the alarming rise in rape, murder and sexual violence against women and children, social organisation Amrai Pari Network called on the government to take urgent and effective measures to address the situation.

In a press release ahead of International Women's Day 2026, the organisation said abuse against women of all ages and groups is increasing both at home and outside, as well as in various institutions.

Amrai Pari also said that a section of people is trying to divert attention from incidents of violence against women and children by spreading extremist and misogynistic narratives. This tendency is helping conceal the responsibility of perpetrators and creating a dangerous mindset in society that normalisesviolence against women.

International Women's Day is being observed today. This year's theme is "Give to Gain," emphasising the power of reciprocity and mutual support.