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Bangladesh must put a stop to it now
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As protests against rape and other forms of sexual violence rage across the country in response to the recent horrific incidents, including the gang rape of a woman in Noakhali, the UN has also called for justice for the increasing trend of violence against women and children in Bangladesh. The UN Resident Coordinator has highlighted the "social, behaviourial and structural misogyny" that has been manifested through the Noakhali incident.
Sexual violence has reached unprecedented levels recently, and time and again, the factors behind it have been identified as the impunity enjoyed by sexual predators. In this backdrop of extreme insecurity that women face, it is difficult to envisage any real development in the country. If we are to realise our goal of greater participation of women in public spheres, women and children have to be safe in both public and private spaces. The UN has strongly recommended urgent reform in the criminal justice system to support and protect victims and witnesses and to speed up the slow trial process. Such recommendations should be heeded if the government is serious about addressing this terrible curse that has afflicted our communities. The government, with the help of non-governmental organisations, rights bodies and the public in general, must make concerted efforts to arrest rapists and mete out punishment regardless of their affiliations to political circles.
That the UN has expressed its concern also indicates that the spate of sexual violence has caught the attention of the international community. Surely, this is not the image of our nation that we wish to be projected to the world. The government has a moral and constitutional obligation to protect all citizens, especially vulnerable groups, which unfortunately include women. It is also in its own interest to project a better image of the country on the international stage.
