UNICEF representative in Bangladesh Rana Flowers called for immediate action to strengthen nationwide child and gender-based violence protection systems and prevention measures following the recent surge in violence against children.
In a statement, she also stressed far stronger accountability of schools, madrassahs, workplaces, neighbourhoods and care settings for psychosocial support for women and children.
Conveying sincere condolences to all the affected families, Rana Flowers in the statement said that UNICEF was deeply shocked and saddened by the recent incidents of brutal violence against children reported in the country, including the rape and killing of girls and boys in settings where they should have been safe.
The statement titled ‘Brutality against children must stop!’ also read, ‘The rise in reports of brutal and sexual violence against women and children across Bangladesh thus far in 2026 underscore the urgent need for immediate action to strengthen child and Gender-Based Violence protection systems and prevention measures nationwide.’
‘The culture of impunity enjoyed by perpetrators must end, and the gaps in prevention, reporting, institutional safeguarding, child friendly police and justice, community protection and social services be addressed,’ it continued.
Rana Flowers said in the statement that violence spread when communities stayed silent.
‘UNICEF appeals for children, women, families and community members to report violence, abuse or exploitation through available protection services, including Child Helpline 1098, which provides support and referral services for children in need of assistance,’ it continued.
The statement also read that children and women who suffered at the hands of abusers deserved their dignity to be respected while the sharing of photos videos or identifying personal details represented a further abuse of each of them.
‘All who share and reshare are adding to the trauma of survivors, the trauma of families, the disrespect of the victim,’ it read, ‘UNICEF appeals to the public, media outlets and social media users to respect the rights of the victims and their families and to refrain from any such sharing.’
Rana Flowers urged all to raise their voices calling for the protections and the systems and for an end to impunity of perpetrators.
‘Every child has the right to protection everywhere, in communities, schools, at home, and even in how their stories and images are treated in public spaces,’ she added in the statement.
According to rights body Ain o Salish Kendra, at least 118 children were raped, 46 were victims of attempted rape, and 17 murdered after rape and attempted rape between January and May 20 this year.
For the past several days students, rights activists and other people from across society along with different organisations had protested at the incident through statements and street protests in the capital and elsewhere across the country.
