Bangladesh has witnessed a disturbing trend of political leaders spreading misinformation about rape and sexual assault. With a recent surge in rape and harassment cases involving people of all ages and genders, it’s appalling that some high-ranking officials are manipulating definitions to fuel this phenomenon.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, leader of Jamaat-E-Islami, recently sparked controversy by implying that rape only occurs outside of marriage. Although he later apologized for his wording, he still refused to acknowledge marital rape as a crime. Hefazot-E-Islami has also spoken out against the Women’s Rights Reform Commission’s stance on this issue.
Rape shouldn’t be up for debate–it’s a crime. We condemn political parties that disregard citizens’ bodily autonomy and distort the definition of rape. We stand with the Commission’s report, advocating for marital rape to be recognized as a crime. We also demand sex education and consent awareness in textbooks and public campaigns.
Written by Sadman Ahmed Siam
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