THE alleged rape of a young mother inside Natore General Hospital on June 8 and the reported gang rape of a woman and her school-going daughter during a robbery in Cox’s Bazar on June 9 once again expose the alarming prevalence of sexual violence against women and children. The Natore incident is shocking. The woman, who was attending to her two-year-old daughter in hospital, was allegedly taken to the sixth floor by a sweeper on the pretext of providing medicine for the child and was then raped while two others assisted and recorded the incident. The Cox’s Bazar incident is equally horrifying, where robbers reportedly raped a woman and her daughter after looting valuables from their home, leaving the girl in a critical condition. The incidents come amid persistent reports of rape and sexual violence. Rights groups have repeatedly warned that sexual violence against women and children remains pervasive and that the available figures are only a fraction of the actual occurrences because many survivors refrain from reporting such crimes because of stigma, intimidation and a lack of confidence in the justice system.
The arrests already made in both incidents are a necessary first step, but justice will be served only when investigations are impartial, trials are conducted expeditiously and convictions are secured on the basis of credible evidence. The Natore case warrants particular attention because it raises serious questions about institutional accountability. A hospital is expected to be among the safest places for vulnerable people seeking treatment and care. That an attendant of a child could allegedly be assaulted within the premises of a public hospital is a matter of grave concern. The allegation that hospital authorities did not immediately hand the accused over to the police after becoming aware of the incident, if proven true, would amount to a grave failure of responsibility. The authorities should, therefore, ensure not only the prosecution of the three accused but also a thorough investigation into the role of the hospital administration. The government and society at large have much more to do to stop the disturbing prevalence of sexual violence against women and children and to ensure their safety and security in both public and private spaces.
The government must address rape and sexual violence through a comprehensive strategy. Weak investigation, delayed judicial proceedings, low conviction rates and the absence of effective witness protection continue to undermine justice and discourage survivors from seeking legal redress. It is equally important to strengthen awareness of gender equality, consent and the legal consequences of sexual violence. Educational institutions, community organisations and the media should play a greater role in challenging the social attitudes that normalise or excuse such crimes.
