How Safe Are Women?

The recent attempted rape of a female student at Jahangirnagar University has once again shaken the public conscience and raised urgent questions about the safety of women in Bangladesh. It is deeply disturbing that a young woman is unsafe in her university campus, an institution that is supposed to provide students with knowledge, freedom and protection. According to media reports, an unidentified man allegedly dragged a female student to a dark area near the abandoned Fazilatunnesa Hall on the campus and attempted to rape her. Following the incident, many students organised protests demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and stronger security measures on the campus. 
This incident is not an insignificant one. It reflects a widespread national crisis. Across Bangladesh, rape and sexual violence have become increasingly common, creating fear and insecurity among women and girls in both urban and rural communities. What was once considered a sporadic criminal act has now evolved into a widespread social emergency. News reports of rape, gang rape, sexual harassment, and violence against women appear with disturbing regularity. Yet the incidents reported in the media represent only a fraction of the actual reality.

Aside from the stories that appear in newspapers, countless untold stories remain hidden. Many survivors never seek justice because of fear, shame, intimidation, or social pressure. Families often discourage victims from filing cases to avoid humiliation and stigma. In many communities, survivors are judged more harshly than perpetrators. This culture of silence allows offenders to continue their crimes without fear of accountability. Women and girls today face risks almost everywhere. Homes, educational institutions, public transport, workplaces, and even online spaces have become environments where harassment and violence frequently occur. Increasingly, there is a perception among many women that no place is entirely safe.
National and international data reflect the seriousness of the problem. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and the United Nations Population Fund Violence Against Women Survey 2024, approximately 76 per cent of women in Bangladesh have experienced at least one form of violence during their lifetime, including physical, sexual, emotional, or economic abuse. Human rights observers documented hundreds of rape incidents in 2025 alone, while some independent reports suggested that cases increased dramatically compared to previous years.
Civil society organisations and women’s rights groups have long been working to address this crisis. Organisations such as Ain o Salish Kendra and Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust regularly document violence against women, provide legal assistance to survivors, and advocate for policy reforms. Their efforts have played an important role in raising awareness and supporting victims. However, despite years of advocacy, the problem continues to intensify.
One of the most troubling thing is the vulnerability of children. A significant proportion of victims are minors. These cases reveal not only the brutality of offenders but also the failure of protective systems.
Bangladesh has enacted several laws to combat rape and violence against women. Over the years, amendments have strengthened penalties, including provisions for life imprisonment and, in certain cases, the death penalty for rape. Yet, justice often remains elusive.
The greatest challenge is not necessarily the absence of laws but the failure of implementation. Delayed investigations, weak evidence collection, slow judicial procedures, corruption, and political influence frequently obstruct justice. In many instances, powerful offenders manipulate the legal system or exploit personal connections to avoid punishment. Such failures contribute to a dangerous culture of impunity, where perpetrators believe they can commit crimes without consequences.
Negative social attitudes are another barrier. Victim blaming remains deeply rooted in many parts of society. Instead of condemning perpetrators, questions are often directed toward survivors about their clothing, movement, lifestyle, or personal choices. Such attitudes discourage reporting and deepen the trauma experienced by victims.
Then, survivors and their families are frequently subjected to intimidation and threats, particularly when the accused are influential or politically connected. In some cases, victims are pressured into withdrawing complaints or agreeing to informal settlements. There have even been incidents where survivors or witnesses were attacked after seeking justice. Under such circumstances, many families choose silence over legal action.
Quite often, perpetrators in a rape incident are known to the victims. In many cases, offenders are relatives, neighbours, teachers, employers, or trusted acquaintances. This makes reporting psychologically difficult and exposes a broader breakdown of trust within families and communities.
Economic inequality also contributes to women’s vulnerability. Women and girls from low-income families often face greater risks due to limited educational opportunities, financial dependence, and lack of social protection. In marginalised communities, weak law enforcement and social neglect create conditions where violence can occur with little resistance.
The consequences of rape extend far beyond the immediate physical assault. Survivors frequently suffer long-term psychological trauma, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. Many are forced to abandon education or employment due to stigma and emotional distress. 
Addressing this crisis requires far more than symbolic outrage after individual incidents. Bangladesh needs stronger institutional responses, faster judicial processes, and survivor-centred support systems. Investigations must be conducted professionally and sensitively. Witness and victim protection mechanisms should be strengthened to prevent intimidation and retaliation.
Educational institutions must also play a greater role. Schools, colleges, and universities should promote awareness about consent, respect, gender equality, and personal safety. Campus security systems must be modernised, and authorities should establish emergency response mechanisms.
Protecting women and children is not merely a legal obligation. It is a moral and human responsibility. A society where women cannot walk safely, study freely, or live without fear cannot truly claim progress or justice. Ending sexual violence will require collective action from the government, law enforcement agencies and ordinary citizens. Justice must neither remain inaccessible to rape victims, not delayed. Survivors must be supported with compassion, while perpetrators must be awarded appropriate legal penalties.
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The writer is a freelancer