Sexual violence against women and children must stop!

What kind of society are we living in? Girls and women are not safe here, whether at home or outside.

Recently, there have been some incidents of violence and rape against women and children, which have shocked the entire society.

But the firm steps that were supposed to be taken by the government in these incidents are not being seen.

According to a report of published in this newspaper on Monday, the rape of an eight-year-old girl while visiting her sister’s house in Magura last week has left society in a state of shock, to say the least.

The child is now in a critical condition and is currently undergoing treatment at CMH in Dhaka.

Earlier, she was also treated at Magura General Hospital, Faridpur Medical College and Dhaka Medical College Hospital. As her condition deteriorated, she was rushed to CMH.

In Magura incident, a case has been filed under Section 9(4) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, Section 30 of the Act, alleging rape and causing injury through rape.

Meanwhile, her sister’s husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law and brother-in-law have been arrested in the case.

The growing number of such cases has triggered public anger, prompting protest across the country.

People from different classes and professions have protested and demonstrated across the country against the rape of women and children.

Teachers and students from public and private universities have also taken to the streets; as they did during the anti-dictatorship movement last year.

Although the incident of violence against women is happening one after another, what is the government doing? What are the law enforcers doing?

In most of the cases people who commit these crimes remain undetected. In this situation, there is no reason for the incidence of violence against women and children to decrease.

Meanwhile, the High Court has ordered the investigation of the Magura incident and the trial to be completed within 180 days of taking cognizance of allegations.

If the law runs its course, the High Court does not need to interfere. We hope that the concerned authorities will complete the investigation and trial within the stipulated time.

To protect women and children, we must first come out of the culture of impunity. We must ensure punishment for the perpetrators in every incident.

At the same time, we must build social resistance against the perpetrators. Say ‘no’ to all forms of violence against women and children, including rape.