Suicide of rape victims

The Daily Star reported on the death of Sheuly Akter from Shariatpur, who was raped by the caretaker Babul on May 8. In order to cover up the crime, Babul along with his aides forced Sheuly to marry the boy, alleging that they had an “illicit affair”. This is just one in countless cases where woman are assaulted, humiliated and blackmailed in a country where the Prime Minister and several political and social leaders are women. Girls cannot walk on the streets, use public transport, or go to schools or public places without being harassed in some way. Victims of the most severe cases are so traumatised and humiliated that they are taking their lives. 

According to the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association, almost 90 percent of girls aged 10-18 are victims of public sexual harassment. While poverty increases the risks of assault, but affluence is no guarantee of safety. 

After a crime is committed a girl is humiliated again by our authorities. The test of proving loss of virginity is utterly demeaning; it has no relevance to the crime of rape. It is about time we start treating rape victims with dignity, and instead of subjecting them to humiliation, develop new ways to hold the culprits to justice. 



Zubair Khaled Huq

By email