Bangladesh Feminist Archives

By Sumia Islam

“Real men are tough and strong”; “men are too strong to be raped.” Narratives around men’s resilience, strength, and sexual desire have created the dangerous belief that men who cannot protect themselves are “not man enough.” This perception silences male rape victims and prevents them from opening up. For many, the trauma lingers for years, becoming a lifelong wound.

Sexual harassment remains widespread in Bangladesh, but survivors often hesitate to report their experiences due to cultural and social stigma. In 2019, a 45-year-old man in Gazipur was sexually assaulted by a gang who recorded the incident and demanded 200,000 taka. Unable to cope with the trauma and threats, he took his own life without seeking justice. Male survivors often fear judgment about their masculinity or sexuality, internalize blame, and are pushed into isolation and despair.

Although women and children constitute the majority of reported rape victims, ignoring male survivors is unjust and unrealistic. Bangladesh’s current legal definition of rape (Section 375 of the Penal Code of 1860) is gendered, recognizing only women as victims and men as perpetrators. It excludes male victims and female perpetrators altogether.

Male survivors can file cases only under Section 377 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes “unnatural offences,” a colonial law designed to punish homosexuality. This outdated provision does not adequately address male rape or sexual violence and also excludes assaults on transgender people.

Rape and sexual abuse of men are widely misunderstood and often dismissed as insignificant. A set of stereotypes known as “male rape myths”, such as “men are too strong to be raped,” “only gay men are raped,” or “men are only raped in prisons,” reinforces toxic masculinity and denies men’s vulnerability. Yet rape of men is not new in Bangladesh. A 2013 UN study documented nearly 2,374 male-on-male rape cases in the country. More than a decade later, the issue remains taboo, with little information available.

Men in Bangladesh are not socialized to believe they are vulnerable to sexual assault. When it happens, they experience shame, humiliation, and a sense of lost manhood. The consequences are devastating, often preventing survivors from reporting or seeking help. Sexual violence against men is frequently silenced or denied; even by the victims themselves. For many, it is not even recognized as rape.

Toxic masculinity and cultural expectations thus act as systemic and personal barriers for male survivors. While a few cases involving men and boys have appeared in the media, they rarely enter public debate or movements against sexual violence. Even government institutions, NGOs, and human rights organizations often avoid the subject, treating male rape as taboo.

It is urgent to reform Bangladesh’s rape laws to include all survivors; male, female, and transgender. A writ petition has been filed with the Supreme Court calling for Section 375 to replace the word “woman” with “person.” However, legal change alone cannot address the problem. Without tackling stigma and changing societal attitudes, survivors will continue to suffer in silence.

Male rape is constantly denied despite its growing prevalence and consequences. Survivors are often treated as “guilty until proven innocent,” undermining justice itself. In today’s world, we cannot afford to consider sex education taboo, deny the reality of male rape, or silence survivors. Recognizing male rape does not diminish women’s oppression; it broadens the fight against sexual violence to include everyone.

It is our collective responsibility to dismantle toxic masculinity, break down harmful stereotypes, and demand justice for all survivors. Only then can we build a society that ensures dignity, safety, and equality for every person.

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This piece is part of Political & Personal: An Anthology of Gender & Sexuality Issues in Bangladesh, a weekly series by the Bangladesh Feminist Archives. To read all contributions and view submission guidelines, click here.