According to ASK, 811 women and girls were tortured in Rajshahi in 2024

According to a report by the rights organization Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), at least 811 women and girls were tortured in Rajshahi district in 2024.

The report reveals that 28 victims were raped, with seven allegedly committing suicide as a result. Additionally, five women and girls were killed after being raped, and six others faced attempted rape. The findings were shared during a discussion organized by ASK as part of its "AGNEE - Awareness, Action, and Advocacy for Gender-equal and Safe Spaces for Women and Girls" project, held at a restaurant in Rajshahi city on Monday.

Hasibul Hasan Pallab, the district manager of the AGNEE project in Rajshahi, explained that the study was based on reports from national dailies, online media, and information gathered from 180 members of Community Social Organizations involved in the project.

The three-year-long project, which is being implemented in Rajshahi and Gazipur districts with the support of BRAC and funding from the European Union, aims to raise awareness and advocate for gender equality.

The report also highlights that 58 women and girls were victims of sexual harassment, while 18 suffered physical assault. Three women were killed for protesting against harassment. In terms of domestic violence, 299 women faced abuse, with 10 committing suicide and 18 being murdered by their husbands or in-laws.

Furthermore, 255 housewives were tortured over dowries, eight of whom were murdered and two allegedly committed suicide. The report also reveals that 149 children were tortured in the district, 22 of whom were killed. One schoolgirl became a victim of an acid attack after rejecting a boy's romantic advances.

Rashed Ibne Obayed Ripon, director of Paribartan, attributed the rise in violence against women and children to a culture of impunity and the lack of government efforts to raise awareness.

Hasibul Hasan Pallab added that the AGNEE project provided legal assistance to 87 victims and is offering support to 66 women and children in 2024.

The event was also addressed by senior journalist and lawyer Mominul Islam Babu, along with ASK data management consultant Sabbir Islam.