480 women, children fall victim to violence in last 3 months
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad presented the data after analysing paper clippings of media reports from 14 national dailies
From March till May this year, 480 women and children have fallen victim to violence in Bangladesh, according to data collected by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
The human rights organisation made the disclosure on Thursday after analysing paper clippings of media reports published in the past three months.
There are 267 women and 213 children among the victims, while 90 women and 116 children were also raped. Bangladesh Mahila Parishad collected the data from reports published in 14 national dailies between March and May, read a press release.
Expressing concern over the increased incidents of domestic violence during the period of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, the organisation said violence is taking place among family members due to economic tension, frustration and instability caused by an uncertain situation.
Due to marginalisation, the issue is having the most negative impact on women and children. Women and girls are being physically and mentally abused. Rape, child rape, child marriage, marital rape, divorce and trafficking are also occurring in the country, the press release read.
The Bangladesh Mahila Parishad added that only the most sensitive incidents of violence against women and children have been covered by the media, and it does not represent the full scenario in Bangladesh.
In March, 139 women and 104 children fell victim to violence. Among them, 38 women and 43 children were raped. In April, 58 women and 64 children fell victim to violence. Among them, 23 women and 45 children were raped.
In May, 70 women and 45 children fell victim to violence. Among them, 29 women and 28 children were raped, according to the data collected by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.