Inaction is emboldening sexual predators
We are alarmed by the frequent incidents of rape and sexual violence reported across the country. On February 21, a fourth grader was raped in Rangpur's Mithapukur upazila when she went to collect flowers to pay tribute to the language martyrs. On February 16, a 22-year-old woman was gang-raped in Munshiganj. And just last week, two women were sexually assaulted on a moving bus on the Dhaka-Tangail highway by a gang of robbers. The list of such horrific incidents continues to grow. Unfortunately, the government's response to such crimes remains largely inadequate. In this regard, the silence of the women and children's affairs adviser—who is a women's rights activist herself—comes as particularly troubling. Such inaction only emboldens the criminals and heightens fear over women's safety.
It should be noted that the interim government has failed to effectively restore law and order even after the passing of more than six months. Besides crimes of sexual nature, mugging, robbery, and violent clashes between different groups have also increased nationwide. This naturally raises the question: what are law enforcement agencies doing to curb these crimes? And why are crimes against women and children not getting the attention they deserve?
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Against this backdrop, students from various educational institutions in Dhaka and across the country have recently protested the surge in rape and sexual violence. They have rightly criticised the government's lacklustre efforts, demanding stricter law enforcement, overhauling of special tribunals for rape cases, enhanced protection for victims, a confidential reporting system for survivors reluctant to come forward, government-funded psychological rehabilitation services, etc. The authorities must take these demands seriously and implement effective measures without delay.
Violence against women has been pervasive in our society largely due to the prevailing culture of impunity that emboldens criminals. We have seen how successive governments failed to bring perpetrators to justice, and in many cases, offenders escaped accountability due to their political connections. Now that an interim government is in charge, it must break this cycle of impunity. Along with necessary legal and administrative reforms, it should engage with NGOs and women's and children's rights activists to develop a comprehensive action plan on sexual violence. The immediate priority must be arresting and prosecuting those responsible for the recent incidents of rape and sexual violence. The government must send a clear message that such crimes will not be tolerated in this new Bangladesh.
Comments