646 women raped in ten months: BMP

A total of 646 women were raped in ten months -from January to October- this year across the country, said Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) on Sunday.

Besides, a total of 165 incidents of gang- rape took place during the period, and 53 victims were killed.

The BMP gave the accounts of the acts of violence against women at a press briefing at its Segunbaghica office in the capital.

Fifty-five women became victims of molestation, 141 of sexual harassment, 140 of stalking and 14 committed suicide failing to bear the stigma of sexual abuse during the same period, according to the women's human rights organisation.

Director (Legal aid) of BMP Advocate Maksuda Akter read out a written statement.

The press briefing was arranged marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November) and the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence (25 November to 10 December).

The BMP will observe the progrmme with the theme "Rape and sexual harassment is a crime against humanity".

The organisation called upon the government to ensure equality for all citizens (women and men) at the family level by abolishing the 'discriminatory laws'.

It also requested the young generation of the country to avoid patriarchal mentally and help build a society based on gender equality and non-communal and democratic mindsets.

The BMP placed a set of 18 recommendations that include nurturing values to stop violence against women, implementation of the High Court directive to stop women repression and violence and establishing a culture to treat womenfolk as human beings and enforcement of the Pornography Control Act, 2012.

The Parishad will also hold a discussion with teachers and students of Dhaka University on the campus today (Monday).

BMP president Ayesha Khanam and general secretary Maleka Banu, among others, were present.

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