A joint study by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and BRAC has found that only 3 per cent of cases involving violence against women and children end in conviction, while 70 per cent result in acquittal.

The findings were presented at a seminar on procedural barriers in women and children repression prevention tribunals, held at the BRAC Centre Auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday.

BRAC’s social empowerment and legal protection programme’s legal aid and policy advocacy lead, ATM Morshed Alam, moderated the session.

The research analysed 4,040 cases across 32 districts between January and June 2025. It found that 13 per cent of the cases were settled outside the court.

According to the study, around 150,950 such cases are currently pending, while 42,272 cases have remained unresolved for more than five years.

It said that cases take an average of 1,370 days, or nearly 3.7 years, to be completed, far exceeding the legal timeframe, with each case heard about 22 times on average.

The study called for continuous training of judges, prosecutors, investigators and forensic officers to strengthen skills and improve case handling. It also emphasised effective judicial oversight and strict case management to reduce delays and ensure accountability.

It urged greater public awareness so that women understand their legal rights, procedures and the importance of preserving evidence.

The study recommended ensuring prompt reporting of crimes, along with immediate medical examinations, DNA testing and proper evidence collection.

It also suggested establishing specialised units with trained personnel to handle rape and other gender-based violence cases.

The recommendations stressed strict enforcement of professional ethics and accountability for both prosecutors and defence lawyers.

The study noted that the Nari-O-Shishu Nirjaton Daman Ain, 2000 is a special law enacted to address offences against women and children. The law contains 34 sections covering both penal and procedural provisions and aims to ensure speedy investigation, effective prosecution and timely justice.

It also grants tribunals strong powers, including the authority to take cognisance of cases.

However, the study found a clear gap between law and practice, noting that although the law sets strict timelines for investigation and trial, these are rarely followed in reality.

It said that victim-sensitive measures are essential, including appointing more female judges, holding in-camera trials and ensuring a safe environment for survivors.

The study recommended that investigations be completed within set timelines, with accountability for delays, and called for strengthening forensic systems to ensure timely examinations and proper submission of evidence in court.

Addressing the seminar as the chief guest, law minister Md Asaduzzaman said that the government was strengthening mediation through the National Legal Aid Services Organisation to reduce the growing backlog of cases.

He expressed hope that this preventive measure would significantly lower the number of new cases being filed.

He said that more than 4 million cases are currently pending across the country, including around 300,000 under the Nari-O-Shishu Nirjaton Daman Ain, 2000, adding that the limited number of judges had become a major obstacle to ensuring speedy justice.

Director general of the National Legal Aid Services Organisation, Md Monjurul Hossain, said that low conviction rates did not mean the cases were based on false information.

He noted that many women avoid legal action due to stigma, fear and social pressure, while prolonged trials weaken cases.

The law minister also said that the judiciary remained one of the most neglected institutions in terms of budget, noting that while it receives about Tk 22 billion, more funds are allocated to state media.

He said that the government aimed to reduce the backlog of cases, but delays persisted due to complex procedures and frequent adjournments. He also pointed to the role of some legal practitioners in prolonging trials.

BRAC executive director Asif Saleh warned that weak justice delivery eroded public trust, especially among women.

He said that without accountability and coordination among institutions, only increasing the judiciary’s budget would not be enough to improve the situation.