In Rangamati, a hill district in Bangladesh, the One Stop Crisis Cell (OCC) reported that 24 women and girls were raped while 223 women and children faced torture in the first ten months of this year. Among the rape victims, 19 were children and 5 were women, while 28 of those subjected to torture were children.
Md Ruhul Amin Sarkar, the programme officer of the OCC in Rangamati, noted a concerning increase in rape and torture cases in the district, aligning with national trends. He mentioned that on average, two to three rape cases are reported monthly, along with over 20 incidents of torture involving issues like dowry-related abuse and family conflicts. Most rape victims are girls aged between 10 and 13, often attributed to a lack of awareness within families.
Local women’s rights activists expressed serious apprehension over the prevailing situation. Nuku Chakma, a women’s leader, emphasized the need for stringent punishment for rapists to deter repeat offenses, citing instances where perpetrators released on bail went on to commit crimes again. Similarly, Sucharita Chakma, a development worker, pointed out that the weak judicial system emboldens offenders, creating an environment where rapists feel immune to consequences, instilling fear among women and hindering justice.
Sushmita Chakma, an adviser of the CHT Women Activist Forum, highlighted the presence of legal and societal barriers exacerbating the issue. She mentioned the tendency to blame and shame rape survivors based on their attire and behavior, shifting societal perceptions in favor of the perpetrators. Sushmita emphasized the collective responsibility of society in addressing and preventing such crimes, urging for a shift in mindset and stronger enforcement of laws to combat gender-based violence effectively.