A public demonstration was convened in front of the Chittagong Press Club, protesting against acts of rape, oppression, and violence. This demonstration, marking International Women’s Day 2025, witnessed the participation of over three hundred individuals. The event was a collaborative initiative by the ‘Women and Child Abuse Prevention Forum, Chittagong’ and the ‘International Women’s Day 2025 Celebration Council, Chittagong,’ held on March 8th.
Participants voiced their dissent against child rape, violence against women, and various criminal activities occurring throughout the nation, emphasizing the imperative of ensuring safety for women, children, and all citizens. The demonstration specifically called for judicial equity in all cases, including the instance of women and child abuse filed against NGO worker Mahabub Alam, also known as Mahabubur Rahman, at Chandgaon Police Station on July 23, 2019.
Advocates for child rights, human rights defenders, media professionals, students, and conscientious citizens collectively demanded expedited and equitable judicial processes for the child domestic worker rape case and all cases of child abuse. There has been a concerning escalation in incidents of abuse, oppression, murder, and violations of human rights against children employed in domestic roles. Speakers referenced the egregious case of an eight-year-old child subjected to rape while visiting her sister in Magura city, attributing the recurrence of such atrocities to a prevailing culture of impunity. They reiterated the demand for equitable justice in all cases of violence against women and children, including the aforementioned child domestic worker rape case.
The demonstration, organized by the ‘Women and Child Abuse Prevention Forum, Chittagong’ and the ‘International Women’s Day 2025 Celebration Council, Chittagong,’ and moderated by Mahbubul Alam, former divisional coordinator of Aparajeyo Bangladesh and child rights activist, featured speeches from representatives of participating organizations. These included Saydul Islam, Vice President of the Chittagong Journalists Union and Special Representative and Divisional Bureau Chief of Daily Kalbela; Dilruba Khanam, esteemed reciter and presenter; Jinat Ara Begum, Chief Coordinator of Aparajeyo Bangladesh-Chittagong; Mohammad Forkan, Coordinator of Adab-Chittagong; Mohammad Shahidul Islam, General Secretary of Supr-Chittagong District Committee; Reza Muzammel of Daily Bangladesh Pratidin; Shaibal Acharya of Daily Samakal; Rezowan Chowdhury of the Trade Union Center (TUC); Mohammad Ali Shahin, labor and human rights advocate; and Farhana Idris, Assistant Director of Ipsa, among others.
Speakers at the demonstration highlighted the recent brutal rape of an eight-year-old child in Magura city, drawing parallels to a similar incident in Chandgaon, Chittagong, in 2019. They asserted that the absence of judicial consequences emboldens perpetrators to repeat such heinous acts.
The speakers unequivocally demanded judicial equity in all child abuse cases, including that of NGO officer Mahabubur Rahman, who abused and raped a child domestic worker. They emphasized that the imposition of exemplary punitive measures in every case of violence against women would serve as a deterrent against such crimes, including those perpetrated against domestic workers.
The demonstration advocated for the diligent pursuit of justice in cases stemming from complaints lodged by child domestic workers through the government hotline 1098. It was noted that on July 22, 2019, officers from the Department of Social Services and Chandgaon Police Station rescued a child domestic worker from the locked premises of the NGO officer following a hotline report, subsequently leading to the filing of a rape case against Mahabubur Rahman.
Expressing solidarity, esteemed reciter and presenter Dilruba Khanam asserted that International Women’s Day transcends mere commemoration, serving as a reminder of the necessity for collaborative efforts between men and women in national development. She underscored the imperative of eradicating gender disparity in Bangladesh and ensuring women’s safety through the establishment of judicial equity in cases of violence against women and children.
Media professionals, in solidarity, acknowledged the underreporting of such incidents, particularly those involving influential perpetrators or their families. They lamented the escape of actual offenders through legal loopholes, even in cases that reach the judiciary. Saydul Islam, Vice President of the Chittagong Journalists Union and Special Representative and Divisional Bureau Chief of Daily Kalbela, highlighted the issue of accused individuals securing bail and exploiting victims’ vulnerabilities to coerce case withdrawals or manipulate legal proceedings, thereby emboldening other potential offenders.
Representatives from non-governmental organizations dedicated to preventing violence against women and children, including Aparajeyo Bangladesh, Adab, Ilma, TIB, Trade Union Center (TUC), YPSA, Climate Action and Youth Empowerment Organization (CAYO) Bangladesh, Youth Voice for Change, Jagrata Jubo Samajik Sangha, Ushar Alo Jubo Sangha, Chittagong District Committee for Prevention of Violence against Women, and the Journalists Forum for Prevention of Violence against Women, alongside students and community members, participated in the demonstration.
The participants emphasized the necessity of collective action to enact effective legislation and ensure swift judicial processes, calling upon all stakeholders to contribute to the creation of a secure and protected society for women and children.
