Moral decay behind rape, child abuse incidents: Fakhrul

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said incidents of rape, child abuse and murder are not isolated events, but rather reflections of long-standing moral decay, social irresponsibility and the rapid decline of human values.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, the minister said the government remains committed to taking all-out efforts against such “inhuman crimes” and building a safe Bangladesh where children can grow up without fear.

“We are committed to continuing comprehensive efforts against these inhuman crimes and, Inshallah, working towards building a safe Bangladesh where our children can grow up fearlessly,” he wrote.

The minister, however, said legal measures and government initiatives alone would not be enough to tackle the situation.

He stressed the need for a strong national social movement involving families, schools, madrassas, teachers, religious leaders, media, social organisations and citizens from all walks of life.

According to the minister, children must be educated about respect, humanity, responsibility and the dignity of women.

“Ensuring the safety of our children means securing the future of Bangladesh,” he said.

Calling for collective action, Mirza Fakhrul urged everyone to join the struggle for social change.