Experts urge special budget to combat violence against women, children

A workshop in Dhaka has called for a dedicated national budget to prevent rape, sexual violence, and trafficking involving women and children amid a growing rise in such crimes across Bangladesh.

The workshop, organised by Young Women for Development Rights and Climate (YWDRC) at its Banasree office in Rampura, was supported by several rights-based organisations, including Nari Unnayan Shakti, Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum, Forum for Culture and Human Development, Domestic Workers Employers Association of Bangladesh, and Local Initiative for Development, said a press release.

Speakers at the event expressed concern over the increasing incidents of rape, sexual abuse, trafficking, and violence against women and children, blaming social degradation, impunity, cybercrime, trafficking networks, and weaknesses in child protection systems.

Presenting the keynote paper, Nusrat Sultana Afroj described sexual violence and trafficking as a “national crisis” and stressed the need for stronger grassroots awareness, prevention, and rehabilitation programmes.

She also called for compulsory “Good Touch and Bad Touch” education in schools.

Citing data published by Prothom Alo, she said 7,068 rape cases were filed in 2025, including 1,897 cases involving children. She noted that violence-related cases against women increased by 25% compared to the previous year.

Chief Guest Kazi Dilruba Jefu said women and children employed as domestic workers remain among the most vulnerable groups and urged stronger legal protection and speedy justice.

Dr Afroja Parvin, executive director of Nari Unnayan Shakti, warned that rising incidents of rape and trafficking could damage Bangladesh’s international reputation, discourage foreign investment, and negatively affect tourism and foreign currency earnings.

Other speakers emphasized the need for nationwide awareness campaigns, rehabilitation services for survivors, stronger anti-trafficking measures, and activation of anti-sexual harassment committees in educational institutions and workplaces.

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At the end of the workshop, organizers submitted several recommendations to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and the Ministry of Social Welfare, including allocating a special budget to combat violence and trafficking, introducing compulsory child safety education in schools, strengthening speedy trial tribunals, and forming a specialised task force to tackle online and cross-border trafficking.

Participants also warned that failure to take immediate action could lead to further increases in violence, expansion of trafficking networks, deterioration of human rights conditions, and setbacks in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).