Not Just a Crime, But a Crisis: Arresting Rapists Is Not Enough, Justice Must Be Done Without Delay
The recent rape of an eight-year-old girl in Magura is a grim reminder of the deep-seated violence against women and children in Bangladesh. What makes this crime even more horrifying is that the accused are the child’s relatives—her sister’s in-laws—who not only committed the crime but also tried to silence the victim and cover up the assault. Her sister was physically assaulted by her husband for attempting to seek justice, while her mother-in-law misled doctors about the child’s injuries. This incident exposes the toxic patriarchy that allows such brutality to persist.
A Disturbing Reality
The Magura case is not an isolated incident. On the same day that protests erupted across the country demanding justice for the child, reports of five more rapes involving girls as young as four surfaced from different districts. The numbers paint an even bleaker picture: according to the Human Rights Support Society, 6,305 women and girls were raped in Bangladesh in the last five years—more than three rapes every day. A separate analysis by Ain o Salish Kendra found that a woman is raped every nine hours in Bangladesh, and three out of every five victims of sexual violence are children or adolescents.
“The barriers that women and girls face in Bangladesh continue to hold them back from living a life free of fear,” said a representative from a human rights organization. “Arresting perpetrators is only a small step; true justice means addressing the root causes of gender-based violence.”
Justice Fails, Perpetrators Thrive The failure of the judicial system is a key reason why such crimes continue with impunity. A report by The Daily Star found that between 2001 and July 2024, only 1.48 percent of the 20,914 cases of violence against women and children handled by One
-Stop Crisis Centres resulted in convictions. The lack of accountability emboldens perpetrators and reinforces a culture of silence among survivors.
“When justice is delayed, it is denied,” said a legal expert. “Survivors face immense pressure to stay silent, and many do not come forward out of fear. Without a fast and fair judicial process, these crimes will keep happening.”
Beyond Arrests: What Needs to Be Done
Merely arresting rapists is not enough. Bangladesh needs systemic change to prevent such crimes before they happen. This includes:
- Judicial Overhaul: Speedy trials and strict punishments are necessary to ensure justice and deter future crimes.
- Education and Awareness: Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and awareness programs must be introduced to challenge the misogynistic mindset that fuels gender-based violence.
- Strengthening Helplines and Safe Spaces: Government initiatives such as helplines and safety camps must be functional and accessible to survivors.
The government’s recent announcement of 130 safety camps across the country is a positive step, but if they fail to function effectively, they will be nothing more than another failed promise. Women and children in Bangladesh deserve to live without fear. Justice must not be just an afterthought—it must be a guarantee.
Source: The Daily Star
Picture Credit: Sohan Rahat/Unsplash
