The National Girl Child Advocacy Forum (NGCAF) reported that 390 girls were raped or gang-raped in the first eight months of 2025, while 54 others faced sexual harassment or abuse. During the same period, 104 children died by suicide. The organization also noted a rise in incidents of sexual harassment, rape and attempted rape, abduction, trafficking, murder, mysterious deaths, and drowning compared to last year, though suicide rates have slightly declined.
According to the report, girls continue to face sexual harassment in both public and private spaces, with the number of reported incidents doubling from 28 in 2024 to 54 in 2025.
Incidents of rape and gang rape also rose sharply—from 224 last year to 390 this year.
Trafficking of girls increased from 19 cases last year to 34, of which only 18 victims were rescued.
So far this year, 83 girls have been murdered, 50 have died under mysterious and unsolved circumstances, and 205 girls have drowned.
The report further stated that while families of many victims pursue legal action, perpetrators often face little to no punishment, enabling violent crimes against girls to continue with impunity.
A lack of effective enforcement of women’s and girls’ rights, coupled with a patriarchal culture of impunity, rampant gender-based violence, and insufficient education on these issues, were cited as key reasons behind the worsening situation.
The findings were compiled from national and regional media coverage and presented on October 4 at a press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka. The event was moderated by Aparajeyo Bangladesh Executive Director Wahida Banu, with Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron and Plan International Director Nishat Sultana also speaking at the event.
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