Domestic abuse increases amid Covid-19, MJF data says
Around 13,494 women and children faced domestic violence in the last month across the country. Among them 11,323 are women and 2,171 are children
Violence against women and children is increasing day by day amid the Covid-19 lockdown in Bangladesh, according to Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) report.
Around 13,494 women and children faced domestic violence in the last month across the country. Among them 11,323 are women and 2,171 are children, says MJF data.
The foundation presented the findings during a virtual press conference on Wednesday.
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1,621 children faced domestic torture, 67 faced violence at the workplace, 19 were raped, 18 faced rape attempt, 19 were killed, 21 kidnapped, 170 faced child marriage, 3 children faced sexual harassment while receiving food or other support across the country, according to MJF data received after talking with victims over the phone.
Around 11,025 women faced domestic violence in the last month. Among them, 4,947 faced mental torture, 3,589 economic torture, 2,085 physical torture and 404 faced sexual torture.
Furthermore, 233 women faced sexual harassment out of home during this time while 48 were raped or faced attempted rape. Around 17 women were killed in this time.
MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam expressed grave concern as the violence is rising each month.
"MJF stopped 233 child marriages during this time. MJF is giving the victims different forms of support including medical and legal help," she added.
MJF also urges law enforcers and concerned departments to prioritise protecting children and women during the pandemic time—speedy arrest and trial of the perpetrators.
