In October alone, at least 231 women and girls were reported to have been subjected to various forms of gender-based violence across Bangladesh, according to the Legal Aid Sub-committee of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad. The figures are based on cases documented in 15 national newspapers. Among these incidents, 62 women and girls were raped — averaging two reported rapes every single day.
The report highlights that 101 girls and 130 women experienced physical and sexual violence. Of the 62 rape cases, 46 survivors were girls and 16 were women. Following rape, five survivors, including two girls, were killed. Another 13 women and girls survived attempted rape. Beyond sexual violence, 53 women and girls were murdered for various reasons, while 26 deaths were reported as “mysterious,” reflecting patterns often linked to unreported or misclassified violence.
The data also shows the continued impact of domestic and structural oppression. Seven women and girls died by suicide, four women died due to burns, and a domestic worker was tortured and killed. In addition, the month saw kidnappings, child marriages, attempted child marriages, trafficking, dowry-related torture, and widespread physical assault reported across the country.
These repeated patterns point to a systemic failure to protect women and girls, as well as social conditions that continue to normalize violence. Mahila Parishad emphasized the urgent need for stronger preventive measures, survivor-centered legal processes, accountability at institutional levels, and comprehensive support services. Without structural change and political will, such monthly statistics will continue to reflect deeply entrenched gendered harm.
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