A report published by this daily Monday reveals a worrying but familiar picture of women’s safety in Bangladesh. Citing data collected by the Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), it said a woman was raped every nine hours on average between January 2020 and September 2024. This translates to at least two rapes per day. To call it horrible would be an understatement. More importantly, it shows once again how the country has systematically failed half its population.

During the aforementioned period, a total of 4,787 rape cases were reported in the media. Of these, 3,419 cases were filed with police, meaning about a third were not reported to law enforcement. It is not unreasonable to assume that there have been even more incidents that have not been publicized, as the stigma surrounding rape as well as threats of retaliation continue to deter victims and their families from seeking justice . Unfortunately, despite numerous awareness campaigns and promises from authorities to ensure safety and justice for women, our society has yet to see effective change to prevent gender-based violence.

However, for those who manage to overcome the initial hurdles, more hurdles await, as victims must endure harrowing court environments, lengthy legal battles that can be mentally and financially taxing, and a lack of support. empathy within the justice system (from police stations to courts). ). Police data from the first nine months of 2024 also shows their arduous and often futile legal battles, with around 68 percent of those accused in cases of violence or abuse against women remaining at liberty. Police officials say this is not due to a lack of capacity. Should we then assume a lack of interest?

The existing justice system when it comes to sexual and gender-based violence is deeply flawed. Delays in arrests in rape cases, combined with lengthy court proceedings, place the burden on victims and their families rather than perpetrators. Furthermore, there is still no victim and witness protection lawdespite the existence of an approved project. There is also no state-sponsored compensation mechanism that could encourage victims, particularly those from disadvantaged communities, to seek justice. This cannot be the norm in a civilized, modern nation.

We urge the government to confront the harsh reality faced by half of our population and integrate modern and empathetic mechanisms for achieving justice in cases of rape and other forms of gender-based violence into ongoing reform efforts. Ensuring women’s safety and access to justice is essential if we are to build a society that truly values ​​and protects all its citizens.