Mahila Parishad demo protests ‘alarming’ rise in rape incidents

Activists of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) yesterday staged a sit-in protesting rise of rape incidents at an “alarming rate” across the country.

At the event, demonstrators -- carrying various placards and banners with anti-rape messages -- demanded that the government take strict measures for prevention and elimination of the crime.

The hour long demonstration was held in front of Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.

In a written statement, the organisation said rape and violence against women and children have increased in an alarming rate recently, though Bangladesh has been making significant progress economically.

A mechanism should be introduced where rape accused have to prove their  innocence, political shelter for rapists must be stopped, and a mass resistance against rape has to be formed, BMP proposed in the statement signed by its General Secretary Maleka Banu.

BMP Vice-President Fawzia Moslem, Joint General Secretary Rakhi Das Purkayastha and Shima Moslem were also present there.