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Violence against women and girls in Bangladesh remains at an alarming level, with rape, murder, sexual harassment, suicide, dowry-related abuse and child marriage continuing to pose serious threats, according to a new study released by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP).
The findings were unveiled at a press conference held at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Monday.
The study, titled “Violence Against Women and Girls in Bangladesh: 2025”, was based on reports published in 14 national daily newspapers and presented by Afruza Arman, Senior Training and Research Officer of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
According to the report, violence against women and girls has become a deep national crisis, with disturbing patterns emerging across different age groups and occupations.
The study found that girls were the most vulnerable to gang rape, with 142 reported cases, attempted rape (117 cases), and suicide (203 cases). Adult women, meanwhile, accounted for the highest number of murder victims (756), rape survivors (376), and victims of sexual harassment (125).
Age-wise analysis showed that girls face the greatest risk of sexual violence during childhood, while the risks of murder and suicide increase with age.
The report also revealed that homemakers were the primary victims of murder, accounting for 58 per cent of such cases, 63 per cent of suicides, and 94 per cent of dowry-related violence. Female students were identified as the most vulnerable group to attempted rape (80 per cent), suicide (67 per cent), gang rape (39 per cent), and child marriage (100 per cent).
The organisation said both homes and educational institutions have become increasingly unsafe for women and girls.
The study attributed the persistence of violence to a culture of impunity, political influence, delays in investigations, weak evidence and witness protection, and the widespread tendency to blame victims rather than perpetrators.
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad urged the government and relevant authorities to strengthen law enforcement, ensure speedy justice, improve accountability, and enhance public awareness to protect women and girls.
Responding to questions from journalists, BMP President Dr Fowzia Moslem said the findings reflected a deeply disturbing reality, stressing that women face violence regardless of age.
“There is no specific age for becoming a victim of violence. From six-year-old girls to women over sixty, females remain vulnerable throughout their lives,” she said.
Dr Fowzia Moslem noted that the high number of rape victims aged between six and nine years clearly demonstrated that victims could never be blamed for such crimes.
“The responsibility lies entirely with the perpetrators and the social mindset that tolerates these offences,” she said.
She also expressed concern over the growing number of women being murdered alongside incidents of sexual violence.
“This is not only a women’s issue. It reflects a broader crisis of public safety, justice and humanity,” she added.
Calling on the media to play a stronger role, Dr Moslem urged journalists not only to report incidents but also to highlight the structural and social factors behind violence.
She criticised the tendency to focus extensively on victims while giving little attention to the identities and actions of perpetrators.
She also warned against resolving rape and other criminal offences through informal local arbitration, saying such crimes must be prosecuted through the courts.
“Rape, murder and similar offences are criminal acts. Attempts to settle these through local mediation obstruct justice and encourage impunity,” she said.
Dr Fowzia Moslem called for stronger collaboration among the media, civil society organisations and the women’s movement to build a safer, more just and humane society.
The press conference was attended by leaders and officials of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, members of its central committee, and journalists from print and electronic media. The session was moderated by Dr Fowzia Moslem, while Training, Research and Library Secretary Reena Ahmed conducted the event.