240 Women and Girls Faced Abuse in October, 51 Raped: Mahila Parishad

In October this year, 240 women and girls in the country faced various forms of abuse. The figures come from the monthly statistics published by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.

The report, signed by the organisation's general secretary Maleka Banu, was released last Sunday. It presents the Parishad's statistics on abuse of women and girls for the month of October.

According to the report, 51 people were raped in October. Among them were 34 girls and 17 women. Sixteen of those raped, including six girls, were subjected to gang rape.

Three people, including two girls, were killed after being raped. In addition, attempts were made to rape 21 people, including 17 girls.

In October, 42 women and girls were killed for various reasons. Among those killed were seven girls and 35 women.

During the same period, 28 people, including five girls, died in mysterious circumstances. Twenty-three people died by suicide, among them six girls and 17 women. Seven people, including two girls, were driven to suicide.

The report also presents the picture of sexual violence. In October, 21 women and children, including 15 girls, faced sexual violence. Among them, nine, including seven girls, were sexually assaulted, and the same number of women and children were harassed. Three people, including one girl, faced cyber violence.

In October, one person suffered acid burns and four people, including three girls, suffered fire burns.

Seven women faced abuse over dowry. Six of them were killed.

In abduction cases, six girls were abducted in October. During the same period, attempts were made to abduct 21 people, including nine girls. Two people, including one girl, were trafficked.

According to the report, incidents in October included rape, murder, mysterious deaths, suicide, sexual assault and abduction, among other forms of abuse.

The Bangladesh Mahila Parishad said incidents of abuse against women and girls in the country remain at an alarming level.