Violence against women, children rises further in May: MSF 

Violence against women and children in Bangladesh increased further in May, with sharp rises in rape, gang rape, rape-related killings and sexual harassment, according to a monitoring report released by Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF) on Sunday.

The rights organisation's gender-based violence monitoring report recorded 326 incidents involving women and children in May, up from 312 cases in April.

According to the report, rape cases rose significantly from 54 in April to 78 in May, representing an increase of about 44 per cent. Gang rape incidents increased from 14 to 16, while murders following rape rose from two cases to six. And cases of sexual harassment also increased slightly, from 17 to 18.

Growing sexual violence incidents have raised serious concerns about public safety, impunity and the effectiveness of law enforcement. And this trend highlights the increasingly vulnerable position of women and children in society.

The report noted the nature of violence is becoming more complex and multidimensional. Although some forms of visible violence have declined, indicators of sexual violence, digital crime and broader social deterioration are on the rise.

MSF also identified the spread of online gambling and drug-related crime as emerging threats during May. It recorded one death and five arrests linked to online gambling activities.

In drug-related incidents, four people were killed, 19 injured and 15 arrested during the month. The report also documented two clashes involving police and three allegations of police involvement in drug trafficking.