Bangladesh: 8-Year-Old Girl Succumbs to Injuries After Horrific Rape
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Synopsis
An 8-year-old girl in Dhaka, Bangladesh, tragically died after being brutally raped. Despite a week of intensive medical care, she succumbed to her injuries, prompting widespread protests and demands for justice against rising gender-based violence in the country.
Key Takeaways
- 8-year-old girl died after a week in hospital
- Victim was raped by her sister's father-in-law
- Protests erupted across universities in Bangladesh
- Calls for accountability and justice for victims
- Concerns over rising gender-based violence
Dhaka, March 13 (NationPress) An 8-year-old girl who was a victim of brutal rape tragically passed away on Thursday at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, after a week-long battle for her life, as reported by local media.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed her death at around 1:00 pm, according to the prominent Bangladeshi newspaper, The Daily Star.
She had experienced multiple cardiac arrests by Thursday morning while receiving life support in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at CMH, as stated by the office of the interim government's Chief Advisor.
On that morning, the girl suffered two additional cardiac arrests, following four that occurred on Wednesday.
The Bangladesh Army released a statement on social media on Wednesday, indicating her condition was critical, with dangerously low blood pressure and oxygen levels.
Despite their plea for prayers, the child unfortunately succumbed to her injuries.
The tragic incident took place when the victim was assaulted by her sister's father-in-law in Magura the previous week.
Initially, she was treated for serious injuries at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being moved to CMH for advanced medical care.
Recently, students and faculty from various universities, including Dhaka University, North South University, Independent University, Bangladesh, and Rajshahi University, protested against the rising incidents of rape, including that of the eight-year-old in Magura, demanding strict punishment for the offenders.
In response to the escalating gender-based violence in Bangladesh, the 'University Teachers' Network' held a gathering at Dhaka University's Aparajeyo Bangla, where participants from six universities voiced their concerns.
The protestors condemned the ongoing violence against women, explored its root causes, and criticized the government for its failures.
Dhaka University Professor Tasneem Siraj Mahboob called for the dismissal of Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, insisting that she had made this demand months earlier.
“Resignation is an honorable exit. He doesn’t deserve that honor,” she was quoted by the leading Bangladeshi daily, The Dhaka Tribune.
Statistics revealing violence against women in Bangladesh depict a grim reality under the administration of Muhammad Yunus as the interim head.
Discussing the troubling situation regarding violence against women in Bangladesh in 2025, with alarming figures reported in the first two months, Fauzia Moslem, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, told The Daily Star, “Society is descending into chaos, where lawlessness and criminal impunity are growing. The failure of law enforcement, compromises, and lack of accountability are empowering criminals.”
Since the Yunus-led interim government took office in August 2024, numerous cases of violence against women have been reported across Bangladesh.
The inability of the interim government to address gender-based violence has incited public outcry, with many calling for the resignation of Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and holding the Yunus administration accountable for the deteriorating law and order situation throughout the nation.
