Incidents of violence targeting women, children, and journalists have been steadily rising in Bangladesh, according to the latest report by the human rights organization, Manabadhikar Sangskriti Foundation (MSF).
The report, which highlights the human rights situation in February 2025, paints a worrying picture of the law and order situation across the country.
In February, a total of 295 cases of violence against women and children were recorded, marking an increase of 24 cases compared to January.
The rise in violence against journalists is also a significant concern, with 21 reported cases in February, up from 13 the previous month.
One of the main points of concern in the MSF report is the alarming increase in crimes that affect the everyday lives of citizens.
The report notes that incidents like theft, robbery, extortion, murder, and rape have been on the rise in various parts of the country, including the capital city of Dhaka.
These crimes have left many people in a state of fear and anxiety.
The report states, “Extortion based on locality, open attacks on couples on highways, shootings by robbers outside homes, organized robbery on moving buses, and harassment of women while traveling have become routine occurrences.”
Such developments reflect a broader deterioration in law enforcement efforts, leaving citizens more vulnerable.
Looking specifically at violence against women and children, the numbers are alarming.
February saw 57 reported incidents of rape, 17 cases of gang rape, and two murders linked to sexual violence.
Additionally, there were 19 attempted rapes, 26 instances of sexual harassment, and 36 cases of physical abuse reported.
These figures represent a growing concern about the safety and security of women and children across the country.
Beyond that, the month of February also witnessed 48 suicides, 65 murders, and 18 cases of abduction or people going missing, further underscoring the country`s troubled state of public safety.
For journalists, February was especially difficult. The MSF report shows that 38 journalists were victims of abuse, assault, injury, threats, or harassment during the month.
While January saw 13 incidents of violence against journalists, February saw the number rise to 21. One journalist also faced legal action or arrest during this period.
These statistics, gathered from an analysis of various newspaper reports, reveal a pressing need for stronger measures to address the ongoing violence against vulnerable groups, including women, children, and journalists, while also improving the overall law and order situation in the country.
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