Violence Against Women and Children: A Crisis We Cannot Ignore

By Nicolas Biswas

Violence against women and children is not merely a matter of deteriorating law and order or a statistic in police reports; it reflects a profound crisis in a society's humanity, moral values, and state responsibility. Reports of physical abuse, sexual harassment, rape, domestic violence, child marriage, abduction, and murder continue to surface across social media at an alarming rate, painting a terrifying picture of daily insecurity in our life.

This violence transcends all domains - religious, political, domestic, academic, and social.

Perpetrators exploit systemic impunity, power imbalances, political vendettas, social

superstitions, and economic vulnerabilities to target the defenseless. Because women and children occupy relatively vulnerable socio-economic positions, criminals often perceive them as easy targets. This reality inflicts deep harm not only on victims and their families but also on the collective well-being of our society.

Global Realities and Trends

Globally, violence against women and children remains at a critically high level. Armed

conflicts, funding shortages for frontline support organizations, and growing political

backlash against gender equality exacerbate the crisis. Despite decades of advocacy,

approximately one in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime.

Simultaneously, technology-facilitated abuse is rapidly surging. AI-driven harassment and targeted threats increasingly aim to silence female journalists, human rights defenders, activists, and public figures. In response to escalating sexual violence against minors globally, international bodies like UNICEF continue to demand stronger local protection systems, zero-tolerance measures, and an immediate end to impunity.

National Realities: The Situation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is witnessing a sharp rise in violence against women and children. Between

January and June 2026, reported incidents of physical abuse, rape, and child fatalities

increased significantly. In April alone, Bangladesh Police recorded 2,011 cases - the highest single-month figure over a nine-month period since July 2025.

According to the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), 1,621 women and girls experienced violence in the first half of 2026, marking a 56% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) documented 490 child victims during the same timeframe, including 195 deaths resulting from torture, domestic violence, or sexual assault. Broader national indicators underscore the systemic nature of this crisis:

a) 86% of children experience violent discipline at home or in the institutions.

b) 47.2% of girls are married before reaching the age of 18.

c) 70% of women experience intimate partner violence during their lifetime.

Although Bangladesh maintains legal mechanisms - including 102 specialized tribunals and the national 109 and 10921 helplines - enforcement remains profoundly weak. Out of more than 5,600 reported sexual violence cases between 2013 and 2024, only 2% resulted in a conviction.

Furthermore, official figures represent only a fraction of actual occurrences. Social stigma, fear of retaliation, economic dependence, and community pressure routinely force victims into silence or out-of-court settlements.

Technology, Social Media, and Psychological Toll

The rapid expansion of smartphones and high-speed internet has fundamentally

transformed how violence manifests and impacts public consciousness. While graphic media can serve a purpose, social media exposure acts as a double-edged sword:

a) Positive Impact: Publicizing footage of injustice helps mobilize public opinion, aids in

identifying perpetrators, and pressures law enforcement into swift action.

b) Negative Impact: Repeated exposure to graphic abuse induces severe psychological

stress, collective trauma, and pervasive insecurity.

This psychological burden is particularly severe for women and children. A mother viewing footage of a brutalized child suffers constant anxiety over her own children’s safety.

Similarly, witnessing public harassment restricts women's sense of freedom and mobility.

Moreover, irresponsible digital practices - such as exposing a survivor’s identity or spreading unverified rumors - cause secondary victimization, subjecting families to social stigma.

Political Conflicts and Domestic Violence

Political rivalries and partisan conflicts represent major drivers of violence in our society.

While ideological debate is natural in a democracy, political disagreement can never justify physical violence. Mob attacks, beatings, and public humiliations violate fundamental human rights and desensitize the public. When brutality is weaponized for political score-settling, society risks becoming numb to human suffering - a clear symptom of a declining civil society.

Concurrently, domestic abuse remains a critical yet hidden issue. Society frequently

dismisses spousal abuse and physical mistreatment of children as “private family matters”.

Fear of dishonor and pressure to preserve family units perpetuate a dangerous silence that emboldens perpetrators. Families and communities must break this silence and offer direct legal and social support to survivors.

Strategic Solutions and Actionable Steps

Addressing this crisis requires moving beyond legislative amendments and public seminars toward practical, concrete solutions:

1) Strict and Impartial Law Enforcement: Enacting strict laws is meaningless without equal enforcement. The state must ensure no offender escapes accountability due to political influence, wealth, or societal status. Prompt investigations, witness protection, and time-bound trials are essential to restore public trust in the justice system.

2) Institutional Reform: Bangladesh should establish a dedicated Department of Children Affairs, amend the Child Marriage Restraint Act, and build a professional, community-based child protection workforce. A multi-sectoral working group must oversee implementation to turn systemic failures into lasting protection.

3) Reviving Moral Education: Families and schools must teach children empathy, mutual respect, and gender equality from an early age. Boys must learn that physical strength never confers the right to dominate, while girls must be empowered with knowledge about their rights, self-defense, and legal recourse.

4) Ending Victim Blaming: Society must undergo a fundamental shift in mindset. Scrutinizing a victim's clothing, choices, or whereabouts shifts guilt away from the criminal and devastates survivors psychologically. The perpetrator alone bears full responsibility for the crime.

5) Responsible Role of Media and Political Leaders: Media content creators must uphold strict professional ethics to protect survivor identities. Political parties must adopt a strict zero-tolerance policy against violence, refusing to shield criminal operatives under party banners; and it is very crucial for our country indeed.

Conclusion

The true measure of a civilized society lies not in its skyscrapers, economic growth, or

technological achievements, but in its ability to guarantee security, human dignity, and

justice for its most vulnerable citizens.

Protecting women and children cannot be the sole duty of the state; it demands a unified commitment from families, schools, civil society, and every individual citizen. Remaining silent in the face of abuse reinforces the culture of impunity. By breaking our silence and standing firmly against violence, we can build a safer, more just, and humane society for all.

(Nicholas Biswas is a development practitioner and a recipient of the United Nations

Population Fund (UNFPA) Media Award. He can be reached at: gonomaddyom@gmail.com)