Various human rights organizations are expressing concern that child abuse and rape are on the rise in Bangladesh.
Human rights activists allege that many accused in rape cases are getting away with it due to weak law in Bangladesh. They say there are issues in the law that stand in the way of access to justice for rape.
The non-governmental organization Naripaksh says it has observed rape cases in six districts from 2011 to June 2017 as part of a study. Raushan Ara, director of the study and project director for the women's wing, said there had been 4,372 rape cases during the period, but only five had been convicted.
Apart from Dhaka, the other districts from which information has been collected are Jhenaidah, Jamalpur, Joypurhat, Sirajganj and Noakhali, the agency said.
To conduct this study, the women's side collected data from three places - police stations, hospitals and courts. These three places are involved in the judicial process after the incident of rape. Usually women go to these three places. What kind of treatment is given to them there and how the cases are handled - all these issues have come up in the women's research.
Law and justice process is degrading for women
The main reason for the acquittal of most of the accused in the rape case is the lack of witnesses.
Why the witness could not be found - Supreme Court lawyer Sara Hossain told the BBC some of his reasons.
"One of the big reasons here is that if there are victims and other witnesses, they often face various threats. They have no protection against that threat," said Sara Hossain.
He said the protection of witnesses is limited under Bangladesh's Women and Child Abuse Prevention Act and Penal Code. If someone is the victim of the incident, his name cannot be disclosed or the court can arrange a safe place if necessary. But there is no other security system.
In Bangladesh, 'rape' is still defined according to the penal code of 180.
"Our law still says that if a person alleges rape, various questions can be asked about his character during the trial," said Sara Hossain.
Women's rights activists say that having such issues in the law is a very insulting issue for women
"Our law still says that if a person alleges rape, his or her character can be questioned during the trial," said Barrister Sara Hossain.
The court interrogation is like a 'second rape'
Many of the women who have gone to court over rape cases have had very bad experiences. They were interrogated by the accused's lawyer which further tarnished their image - MTA thinks women's rights activist Raushan Ara.
"The question was asked in court, why was she raped? Why did she go there? If others were not raped, then why did you? I mean the blame is laid on the woman."
Sara Hossain said the judge has a lot of power in his hands. He can control some of these matters if he wants.
"Some do, some can't, some don't. A rape complainant can be questioned about his character - as is the case in law. There is no such thing as a judge who can stop a question. You can ask questions about the type, but you can't stop the interrogation. "
He said that recommendations have also been made by the Law Commission of Bangladesh for the reform of this law. But no action has been taken yet.
Some aspects of rape law need to be changed - Law Minister Anisul Haque
What is the government saying?
Law Minister Anisul Haque said she felt some aspects of the rape law needed to be changed.
She said women's rights and human rights activists could discuss changes to the law through specific proposals.
