Dhaka University students on Monday staged a protest to demand justice in all rape cases, including the violation of a child at Banani, and reform of laws related to rape.
Five demands were placed during the programme at the foot of Raju, an anti-terrorism memorial sculpture, on the campus.
They demanded that all rapists, including those involved in the recent rape of a nine-year-old child, be brought to justice and punished in the shortest possible time.
The government must bear the full cost of treatment for the child and other women who were recently raped. There should be long-term plans for the treatment of rape victims.
A committee must be formed as soon as possible to rationally reform laws related to rape.
Efforts must be made to increase awareness of rape laws, ensure compassionate behavior towards rape victims and their families, and ensure responsible behavior by the media regarding the punishment of rapists.
The government must take urgent measures to address the mental health of women who have been raped, including cases of child rape.
At the protest rally, singer Farzana Wahid Shayan said, "When a woman is raped in our society, her life is shattered. First, she becomes a victim of a crime, and second, she is socially ostracised."
"But we often see the opposite for rapists. In some cases, for wealthy individuals, excessive drinking and womanising become symbols of status, and they don't view these acts as crimes. It's because our society has normalised sexual harassment."
Noman Ahmed Chowdhury, Arunima Tahsin, Naurin Sultana Tama and Muqkir Rifat, who are students of various departments, also spoke at the rally.
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