MJF concerned over rising number of rapes

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) yesterday expressed grave concern over the growing incidents of women and child rape across the country in recent times, and demanded exemplary punishment for those involved with such crimes.

As per the report of Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), a total of 905 women and 444 girl children were raped in the last year.

In a statement, MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said, “In recent times, an eighth grader girl in Barguna, a four-year-old girl in Sunamganj, a physically challenged woman in Bishwamvapur, another four-year-old child in Feni, a 22-old-year woman in in Dinajpur, a 14-year-old girl in Faridpur and a 13-year-old girl in Barishal were raped. We are urging the government to ensure that the people convicted of rape are punished, following legal procedure.”

Lengthy legal process, immoral intervention of the plaintiff, intimidation, apathy of a faction of law enforcers, and unethical exercise of influence have made the situation alarming, added the statement.

MJF also stressed on organising awareness programmes to create public opinion against rape across the country.