Violence Against Women: High numbers amid lockdown
Some 4,249 women faced different forms of domestic violence in April this year during the shutdown enforced to contain coronavirus spreading in the country, says a telesurvey report of Manusher Jonno Foundation.
Of the victims, 848 fell victim to physical violence and 2,008 to mental torture. Food and financial support of 1,308 women were withheld, it said.
Besides, 85 women were victims of sexual violence, MJF said while sharing the report with journalists at a press conference on "Domestic Violence during Lockdown in Bangladesh" via video conference yesterday.
Apart from the incidents of domestic violence, a woman was killed, four were raped, and 20 were subject to sexual harassment.
During the time, 33 incidents of child marriage took place, while another 141 child marriages were averted as MJF affiliated bodies took prompt actions.
Moreover, 424 children became subject to torture within their families during the shutdown, the report said.
Around 92 percent of them were tortured at the hands of their parents and relatives.
The number of other incidents, including rape and sexual harassment, was 42 in April, according to the survey outcome.
Of the 42 children, four were raped, 16 were subject to attempted rape, 10 were subject to sexual harassment, two were kidnapped, and 10 others were raped while receiving relief goods, MJF said.
The field-level data for the survey was collected by MJF's 24 affiliated organisations in 27 districts.
Some 17,203 women were interviewed on some specific questions by phone, said MJF.
Addressing the press conference, MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said they did not make any comparison whether domestic violence increased or decreased during the "lockdown" situation.
However, a staggering 1,672 women admitted that they experienced violent incidents for the first time in their lives, she said.
Referring to a global survey conducted by UNFPA, she said globally domestic violence increased by 20 percent during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Shaheen Anam said considering the current situation, they had to conduct the survey with limitations and in only those districts where they have activities.
She said the organisation believed the scenario of domestic violence found during the survey was also same in other parts of the country.
"It is a gruesome picture," she said, adding that MJF would also conduct a similar survey in the coming months.
Referring to reports published in six national dailies, Shaheen Anam said 36 children were raped in one month during the lockdown.
The MJF urged the government to put emphasis on domestic violence while focusing on necessities like food assistance and income opportunities amid the shutdown.
It called upon the authorities concerned, including the home ministry, law ministry, women and children affairs ministry, and inspector general of police, to direct their field-level officials to enhance their activities with the priority to curb domestic violence.
It also urged national helpline services like "109" and "999" to increase their support during the shutdown.
The MJF stressed the need for effective steps from the shelter centres so that women in distress could take refuge there anytime.
It also placed emphasis on bringing culprits to book and taking steps regarding virtual court hearings to ensure culprits' punishment even in the present situation.
The MJF called upon the media to continue publishing reports on violence against woman.
Besides MJF officials, members of its affiliated organisations in Mymensingh, Kushtia, and Bandarban spoke at the press conference.
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