Bangladesh violence against women surges 75%: Awami League warns of governance collapse

The Awami League on Friday, 8 May sounded a sharp alarm over a dramatic rise in violence against women and children in Bangladesh, citing data showing a nearly 75% surge in child rape cases in early 2026 compared to the same period in 2024, and accusing the Tarique Rahman-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government of presiding over what it called a "collapse of social order."

Key Developments

According to the party, women and children across Bangladesh are living under constant fear, with safety increasingly uncertain in both public spaces and at home. Reports of rape, gang rape, sexual assault, and killings following such crimes are reportedly emerging almost every day nationwide.

The Awami League characterised the recurring incidents as a national emergency rather than isolated cases, directly holding the incumbent government accountable for the deteriorating situation.

What the Data Shows

Citing figures from Dhaka-based rights group Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), the Awami League said that 35 rape cases, including 10 gang rapes, were reported in January 2026 alone, with 13 victims aged 12 or younger. The Bangladesh Mahila Parishad independently documented 31 cases during the same period.

ASK data further revealed 776 rape cases over roughly 13 months leading up to early 2026, with nearly half involving minors. In January and February 2026, dozens more incidents — including deaths linked to such violence — were reported. Notably, in 2025, the party claimed that nearly 70% of all rape victims were girls under the age of 18.