April sees 168 incidents of rape and gang rape

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, there were 361 cases of violence against women and children in the country in April, of which 136 were rape cases and 31 gang rapes.

Besides, nine children and adolescents with disabilities have been raped.

Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF) came up with these findings today, which they collected themselves and from the media.  

MSF said the violence against women and children,  such as rape, murder, and domestic violence is on the rise even amid the pandemic. 

The MSF statement said that out of 137 victims of rape, 76 were children and adolescents. There were 15 attempted rapes in April and 22 incidents of sexual harassment and 29 incidents of physical abuse. At this time, two women came under acid attack.

Besides, a total of 69 women including 32 teenagers have committed suicide. Three children, four teenagers and two women were abducted. On the other hand, 11 children are missing. In addition, 75 women and children were killed in April.

MSF says that according to media reports, the killings were caused by family disputes, revenge, dowry, divorce, land disputes, etc. 

In April, nine families were ostracised due to social disputes and conversions.

Eight newborns were found abandoned in various places, six of whom were found dead. The organisation says those responsible for abandoning the newborns are not being brought to book. Rather, in most cases the attempt to resolve it within adoption is undesirable.

Extrajudicial killings, torture by law enforcement, and deaths in custody have continued unabated, read the MSF statement.

Obstacles to the professional performance of journalists and lawsuits and arrests under the Digital Security Act, killings at the border, torture of minorities, and, above all, the freedom of expression of citizens have been shrunk alarmingly.