The alarming rise in violence against women and children in Bangladesh persists even after the change in government, with no signs of abatement—and in many cases, an apparent increase—according to human rights organizations and experts.
Despite the new administration assuming power, incidents of violence against women and girls have not decreased; many observers believe they have escalated in several areas. Leaders from opposition parties in parliament have accused the current government of presiding over a surge in rapes, rape-murders, and other forms of abuse targeting women and children.
Crime experts and human rights activists attribute this ongoing crisis to a deeply entrenched culture of impunity built over the past 18 years, where justice has been elusive. The new government now inherits this toxic legacy and must confront it head-on. Experts urgently call for swift arrests of perpetrators and exemplary punishments to break the cycle and restore deterrence.
Data from human rights groups paints a grim picture. In February of this year alone, at least 236 women and girls suffered various forms of abuse, according to one leading organization. The previous month, January, saw 272 victims, including 70 rape cases. These figures were highlighted by Mariam Nesa, Team Leader for Women’s Rights and Gender Equity at ActionAid Bangladesh, during a special dialogue and award ceremony held in a Dhaka hotel on March 5 to mark International Women’s Day.
Police statistics corroborate the trend: 1,281 cases of violence against women and children were filed nationwide in January, up from 1,248 in December of the previous year.
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The Bangladesh Mahila Parishad’s monthly report on violence against women and girls revealed that at least 32 women and girls were murdered in February, including nine girls under 18. Overall, 183 women and girls faced abuse that month: 73 girls and 110 women. This included 32 rapes (with four girls raped and then murdered), seven cases of sexual violence (including four sexual harassments involving girls, two cases of stalking, and one cyber violence against a woman).
Additionally, 17 deaths (including three girls and 14 women) were deemed suspicious, eight women died by suicide, one woman each suffered acid and burn attacks, five women faced dowry-related violence (with three murdered), three endured physical domestic abuse, and three domestic workers were tortured. There were two abductions (one involving a girl), attempts on two girls, 40 victims of human trafficking (including 20 girls), 15 cases of physical torture (one girl), attempts at child marriage on two, and seven other forms of abuse (including one girl).
Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) reported at least 236 victims in February, with 45 rapes (24 involving girls under 18), ten gang rapes, and three rape-murders. 90 faced sexual harassment (11 girls). Dowry violence killed one and injured two; family violence claimed 41 lives, injured 26, and drove 30 women to suicide; one woman died from acid violence. Separately, 95 children suffered abuse, with 44 killed and 51 physically or mentally tortured.
Shocking specific cases underscore the brutality: On February 25 in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi, 15-year-old Amena Akter was allegedly abducted by locals, gang-raped, and murdered; her body was recovered from a mustard field. On February 28 in Pabna’s Ishwardi, police suspect intruders killed grandmother Sufia Begum and then gang-raped and murdered her 15-year-old granddaughter Jamila Akter after she resisted abduction.
Opposition voices have grown louder. At a National Citizen Party (NCP) iftar and prayer event in Dhaka’s Uttara on March 6, NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam stated that rape and violence against women have risen nationwide since the current government took office. He cited an alleged rape in Noakhali’s Hatia linked to a woman voting for the “Shapla Kali” symbol, amid ongoing nationwide abuses against women and children.
Crime analyst Dr. Touhidul Haque from Dhaka University’s Institute of Social Welfare and Research told Bangla Tribune that recent incidents reflect the continuation of 18 years of lawlessness, weak rule of law, and impunity. Though the government is still new (less than a month old at the time of some reports), he emphasized shifting focus to solutions: rapid prosecution and exemplary punishments are essential now.
Human rights advocates warn that without impartial law enforcement and assured justice, impunity will deepen. The government must act decisively and immediately.
HRSS Executive Director Ejajul Islam stressed the need for establishing the rule of law, strengthening democratic processes, and protecting human rights through coordinated efforts across state and society. Constructive dialogue among political parties, civil society, journalists, rights groups, and aware citizens is vital to foster an inclusive environment—otherwise, violence against women and children risks worsening.
Additional Deputy Inspector General (Crime and Operations) at Police Headquarters, Khondker Rafiqul Islam, assured Bangla Tribune that most suspects in recent cases have been arrested, and police maintain a firm stance against such crimes. Prompt reporting enables swift action under the law.
Senior journalist Probir Kumar Sarker observes that this persistent epidemic of gender-based violence demands urgent, comprehensive action. The data and expert views highlight a crisis that transcends political transitions, fueled by long-standing impunity. Compounding concerns is the reported rise in influence from hardline religious and extremist elements in recent years, which have openly opposed women’s rights reforms, gender equality initiatives, and public participation by women—often framing them as “anti-Islamic.” Such rhetoric and activities by groups promoting misogynistic ideologies contribute to an atmosphere that normalizes hatred and restrictions on women, exacerbating the vulnerability of women and girls amid calls for stricter societal controls in the name of religion. Breaking this cycle requires not only justice for victims but also a firm rejection of any extremist narratives that dehumanize and endanger women.